Believe It or Not...

Belief changes everything.

We’ve all had beliefs  turned upside down at sometime or other in life.

Perhaps the most dramatic for many was  learning about Santa. We believed that the big fat, jolly, plump-cheeked man, saying ho ho ho, and distributing presents throughout the world on Christmas Eve, to be true. 

Sometimes, because we were reaching the use of reason, and we were starting to figure things out for ourselves, it began to dawn on us  slowly that there might not be a Santa.

But for others it was a stark revelation, perhaps before reason could filter it, and was a devastating blow to a child’s world in which anything had been possible.

In the former case, because reason was involved, all kinds of explanations presented themselves to smooth the path and make the change acceptable.

In the latter case, what had been true up to then was now a lie. What ensued was the sense of being betrayed, lied to, and ridiculed.

Adults have experienced these feelings  as well. It happens in relationships, in work, where politics intervene in the name of order, and in life in general when we may find that what we thought to be a truth was a misperception, and our beliefs lie strewn on the ground.

A hard fact to swallow.

But what’s important is how we cope with it.

And that’s a choice we all have. As long as we’re standing, there’s a way through.

When we believe we will cope, that’s what we begin to do. And that’s often the difference between staying afloat and sinking. The very fact that we know we’ll cope is often enough to lift the spirit, alter the mindset, and empower a useful attitude.

The time to practice survival is when everything’s going well. Just the same as Jonny Sexton and Joe Canning didn't wait till ten minutes before the big game to brush up on their technique. They'd put it into practice, long and often in between the events.

Or like the story I heard of David Beckham, who, after playing a wonderful game for Manchester United, with a convincing win, went back to the pitch, on his own, to delete from his mind a miskick, by him, that had resulted in an intercept by the opposition during the game. His team mates had been let, by the manager, off for the night, and had gone celebrating. 

Diligent, intelligent, regular practice is what makes, not necessarily perfect, but a quality of performance, that, even imperfect, delivers. Listening to people, accomplished, successful people, worthy of every success they enjoy, it is salient to note that without exception, they all hold a strong allegiance to the belief in doing the simple things well, doing them with a will, and doing them consistently. 

We can't but see that it's this belief in a solid work ethic, steadfast application, and a sound relentlessness, that brings results in life.

While there are no rehearsals for life, there ARE ideas, thoughts, viewpoints and actions, that can influence the run of events.  

And it starts with the set of the mind, an attitude of courage, and the decision to do, and not just think and talk.   

See HERE.
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