The Power of Belief

         
 We would never initiate a single thing in our lives if we did not believe we could do it, however fleeting that belief may be. Even a baby believes he can get up off the floor when he falls, though his ability to recognize ideas is limited. We may at times be forced into action through fear of reprisals, but a true, vigorous choice to act comes through belief.

Some beliefs we grow up with...

Some beliefs we grow up with, such as adherence to certain religions and the gifts given by various cultures. Over time, however, most beliefs are either sought by us so that we may experience certain life styles or imposed on us so that we may “fit” into the circumstance in which we live.

On board for the "long haul"......

Whatever it is that moves us into certain ways of doing things, these motivations are very powerful indeed, for there are great resistances in us that come forth whenever we try to move away from our “norms.” Therefore, perhaps it would be a good thing to check the motives and beliefs that are automatic in us to see if they are still right for us at this time in our lives, particularly since we are on board for the “long haul” as we persist in enduring, and this means that change in thinking and habits is always up for consideration. This is seldom easy and often very difficult. Are we up for it?


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You may also like "Wonderful Me". 

 

On Getting On

      

We have moved into a new year, and as arbitrary as the calendar dates may sometimes seem, this time of the year has come to hold great meaning for most of us. It becomes a time for us to take stock of where we find ourselves and decide: More of the same, purposeful inattention to what lies before us or perhaps a new or enhanced direction. For myself, I’d opt for the third choice. We may have demands that need our consistent attention, but there also needs to be a new place in us for more living.

Full of "newness"....

There may be many things at work in the world, but our own precious lives are closest and dearest to us, and we should be paying heed to what calls to us. The nature of life is such that we are full of “newness,” every year, every week, every day. Yes, there are big deals that need our interest, but what of the small deals that are more likely to be at hand? Are we noticing the little sweetnesses that come to us regularly…an unexpected call perhaps or a card from someone far away? Perhaps we were on hand to help someone and that person let us know how much that meant.

"The small stuff"...

It is a mistake to overlook “the small stuff” because this is what makes up most days. Let us not hurry by the gifts in each encounter because we may be more important to others than we know…


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You may also enjoy "On Regeneration. 

On Perspectives

            For our purposes in this blog, I am considering perspectives as the way we as individuals see ideas, things and circumstances and how we relate to them. This brief definition does not, of course, take in the technological aspects of this broad subject, but today we are only seeking perspective as it affects us personally. In a few words, what is my surrounding, and how does it strike me…as thoughts, physical situations and means? How we interpret these elements in our lives becomes our perspective.

Information overload...

I think it is difficult to change our personal perspective simply because we choose to. After all, isn’t it more comfortable to ride along with what we already know or believe? Certainly there are times in these days of information overload when I personally feel that I do not want to have to think about one more thing! Enough already! Let me be secure in my little world!

What adjustments must I make?....

This, of course, will not compute for long. Even if we do not want change, it will continuously show up around us, forcing us to check our perspectives yet again. Consider this iconic statement: “The barn burned down. Now I can see the moon.” What does an unchanged perspective hide? What does a change in perspective reveal? What more adjustments must I make when my relationships to ideas, things and circumstances change, whether I like it or not?

"Shift happens"...

“Shift happens,” and we would be wise to be willing to let our perspectives expand throughout all. Growth is not always fun, especially if our convenient mind sets begin to feel too tight. Broad or narrow, expansive or constrictive… it’s all a matter of perspective.

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You might also enjoy "On Thinking."