Knowledge vs. Belief: a brilliant piece of writing in one of the communities I read. I’ve copied it below for posterity, because I really don’t want to lose it.
By Sandwichartist7:
Not very “rageful” but this is what being awake at 3am bring me…
Knowledge: the fact or state of knowing; the perception of fact or truth; clear and certain mental apprehension
Belief: Mental acceptance of and conviction in the truth, actuality, or validity of something
I know I am Intelligent. I believe I am Stupid.
I know I am Inquisitive. I believe I am Uninterested.
I know I am Strong. I believe I am Weak.
I know I am Healthy. I believe I am Sick.
I know I am Sexual. I believe I am Asexual.
I know I am Creative. I believe I am Uncreative.
I know I am Skilled. I believe I am Clumsy.
I know I am Kinky. I believe I am a Prude.
I know I am Assertive. I believe I am Reserved.
I know I am Confident. I believe I am Modest.
I know I am Loud. I believe I am Quiet.
I know I am Beautiful. I believe I am Ugly.
I know I am Worthy. I believe I am Unworthy.
I know I am Important. I believe I am Insignificant.
I know I am Driven. I believe I am Lazy.
I know I am Accepted. I believe I am Isolated.
I know I am not Alone. I believe I am Alone.
I have to change my hair, eyes, cheeks, mouth, ears, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, fingers, breasts, nipples, waist, butt, thighs, knees, calves, ankles, heals, feet, toes, thoughts, feelings, attitudes, opinions, views, and behaviours in order to achieve love and happiness.
I have to be self-denying with a smile on my face, because that is what woman do. Women are happy, approachable, comforting, caring, nurturing, loving, accepting, forgiving, level headed, virginal, wifely, dutiful, and loyal while also being angry, avoidant, discomforting, confrontational, uncaring, barren, hateful, unforgiving, whores, bitches, crazy, back-stabbers, disrespectful, and unfaithful.
I realize these things do not impact my life all at once. I realize that when listed like this it seems absurd and over-the-top. However, the fact is, these all impact my life one at a time or in clusters if not on a daily, then at least weekly, basis. When they do pop up in my life, sometimes it is so subversive that I hardly recognize it, while other instances may knock me to the floor with how apparent it is.
I do not want to feel the need to change my body or myself for any other reason than I want to.
I want to be able to not only Know, but Believe everything positive about myself.
I do not want to live in this dichotomy anymore.
