Beliefs are the core of who we are, what we do, and the success that we acquire. In 1948, Claude M Bristol wrote a wonderful book entitled, The Magic of Believing. In his book he explains that there is one common strand woven throughout the many cultures and religions he investigated. All people, whether primitive or civilized, have shared a particular philosophy that is central to their culture. People of all ages have ascribed to the idea that if you believe that something will happen, it will take place. It is the power of belief that causes things to happen in our lives.
Most people define beliefs as inward convictions, a feeling of certainty about what something means. They are what you hold dear and are rooted deeply within. A belief is both mental and emotional. It is imbedded in the mind and in the heart.
Your beliefs will dictate your action. Isn’t that true? If you believe in a cause, you fight for it. If you believe in your religion, you live it. If you believe in others, you support and uplift them. Beliefs drive us. They are at the root of all purpose and all action.
History is replete with famous people whose belief in a concept or a cause drove them without question to accomplish remarkable things. Think of Gandhi and his belief in a free society in India. He gave his life for the cause he believed in. He is famous for saying, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Those are not just words to Mohandas Gandhi. He fully believed them. We know because he lived them.Nelson Mandela has had a life struggle against the Apartheid in South Africa. He has been willing to suffer because of the passion and belief he has for freedom. Another example is Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King had a dream (a belief) that one day all people would have the same freedoms in the United States, and that belief drove him to fight for change. It dictated his actions.
Unfortunately, while beliefs can be very empowering they can be equally disempowering. Many times our beliefs are negative, or pessimistic about a person, situation, even ourselves, and they limit us and sabotage our results. It is important to stop and take time to analyze your beliefs. Are they helping or hindering? Do they move you forward or hold you back?
Successful people think differently and believe differently than most of the world. These beliefs that they adopt lay the foundation for the level of success they experience. You see, beliefs are not necessarily what’s true or factual in the real world. The power of each belief comes only from the individual believer. That means you can believe whatever you want to believe. As long as you believe it to be true, it will be true in your life. Consequently, you will attract events, experiences and people in your life to match your beliefs. For this reason, it is crucial to adopt only the beliefs that serve you and to let go of those beliefs that limit you.
Many years ago I read a book by John Milton Fogg, which gave me a tremendous insight into the word belief. When you study the root of the word belief you gain greater understanding of its depth and meaning. The true definition of belief will teach you why our beliefs are so powerful. The word belief comes from two words.
Be and lief
Be comes from being, which is a state of existence. To be is to live.
The second word lief comes from the Indo-European word leubh which means – love.
So when you put that together it changes the entire idea of the word belief.
Belief means to be in love with.
Belief doesn’t mean you have to know for a fact, all you have to do is love it. It takes concrete knowledge, which is a mental process and changes it to love, which is a function of the heart. A true belief is something that resonates both in heart and mind.
Think about this in your life. Instead of letting the lack of an immovable belief hold you back. You just need to start because you love the notion. When you believe in someone else; your spouse, a friend, whomever, what you are really saying is you love them.
Let me give you an example. Most researchers would say that less than 5% of the population writes down their goals. Why is that? Most likely it is because they didn’t believe with absolute certainty they would attain them. Have you avoided writing down your goals? If so, what kind of damaging message are you giving yourself? Goals not written are only a wish. What if instead of having to have unshakable conviction, all you had to do was to be in love with your goals. Love the idea, love what they stand for, what they would do for you, just simply be in love with them.
If you love them, you will act. Not only will you act, you will also attract all that you believe into your life. James Allen, the author of As A Man Thinketh stated, “The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors; that which it loves.” It is a liberating concept! In my life there are a lot of things that I love, and because of that I believe them.
28 Responses
If you want to understand how to build empowering beliefs – get a copy of my audio program in the store. http:www.leadershipinc.com/products
This is nice,I have now a clear meaning of belief….
Wonderful, thanks Isaac
Thank you Isaac
Heya i am for the primary time here. I found this board and I find It
truly useful & it helped me out much. I am hoping to provide something back and help
others such as you aided me.
You actually make it appear so easy with your presentation however I
in finding this matter to be actually something which I feel I would by
no means understand. It sort of feels too complicated and
very large for me. I’m taking a look ahead in your next post, I will
try to get the hang of it!
Appreciate you sharing, great blog post.Thanks Again. Really Cool. cgbfeeegfdcecagg
Belief infers doubt….
Great. ..this is becoming (believable)
Acceptable. .lovable… ♡♡♡
In English, the root of the word makes a lot of sense, but in my mother language, it doesn\’t. As a matter of fact, all cultures hold a different truth. But I like the statement that goes: you believe in whatever you want to. At the end of the day, your belief is true as much as mine. Simple as that.
Very true! Thank you Joe
i have really understood this and hope everyone got it the way i did.
Great Silas. I’m so glad you benefited from this post.
Ty
This is very good stuff! I was wondering if you could upload more example of beliefs?
Wow, wow ,wow, first of all thanks for your awesome post. It as quieten my quest for the understanding of the word. You put everything essential in one place with detail information to grasp the idea fully. Thank you. I can truly engage full and whole heartedly with my life quest. Knowing I believe in all i am doing. Before i thought I was doubting myself but having true meaning of the word as opened my eyes and rekindled my love. Thank you.
Wow Charlia – Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me that. Good luck!
Ty
Very well articulated, with a lot of clarity. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Sinjini!
Very enlightening.
Great article! I can see you write from your heart 🙂 I find it Authentic and accurate.
Thank you Nance – much appreciated
Thank you i think you have open a door of success in my life
That’s great Jackson. Best of luck
Ty
Thank you for the growth stimulating insight.
Great blog right here! Additionally your web site lots up very fast!
What web host are you using? Can I am getting your associate link in your host?
I want my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Highly descriptive blog, I loved that a lot. Will there be a part 2?
Thanks for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting for your next
post thank you once again.