Suppose you are flying through a plane. You don’t know the pilot; you have never seen him but then also you decide to travel through the plane. Because somewhere in your heart, there is a feeling that the pilot will take off the plane and you will land safely. This feeling is called ‘BELIEF’.
While traveling, anything can happen like your plane might be delayed due to weather change or it may develop some sort of faults, but we don’t even think about these things that could happen, we just believe in the fact that they won’t. This invisible power of confidence emanating from our heart and mind is ‘belief’, which is one of the strongest powers of the universe. Strongest in the sense, because you can achieve anything in your life if you have a strong belief system.
Origin of beliefs
An infant has no beliefs. But as he grows up, he becomes open to innumerable inputs from his surroundings and this process continues till his death. These external inputs are responsible for beliefs in various aspects like health, family, friends, religion, education, etc. The thing about belief systems is that they require no factual basis. They need not be provable or replicable in any way, because beliefs are nothing but a mindset, which may vary from person to person. They always develop by absorption from an outside source. Our parents, during our childhood days and our environment, as we grow up, are the biggest sources of beliefs. Once we are told to believe that this red fruit is called ‘an apple’ then we admit it peacefully that yes, this is an apple!! We don’t ask for proof, do we?
How belief system works?
Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.
– Mahatma Gandhi
Believes are the keystones of our lives. Behind every thought and behind every action, lies an invisible series of beliefs. The law of life is the law of belief, and belief is nothing but a thought in your mind. As a man thinks, feels, and believes, so is the condition of his mind, body, and circumstances. In other words, our body follows the mind. All your experiences, conditions, and actions are the reactions of your subconscious mind to your thoughts. Remember it is the belief in your subconscious mind that brings about the results. So the highest level of performance must require the deepest level of belief.
Psychology of beliefs
You will get a reaction from your conscious mind according to the nature of beliefs in your subconscious mind. Your subconscious mind accepts what you consciously believe. Remember, your conscious mind works according to your beliefs irrespective of its positivity or negativity. Above all, your beliefs are the only cause of your success or failure, happiness or sadness, frustration or enthusiasm, as your actions are completely dependent on your belief system.
TYPES OF BELIEFS
Positive beliefs | Negative beliefs |
Life is simple. It’s our attitude towards life that matters. | Life is so unfair. |
I am loved and appreciated. | I am not good enough. |
I will definitely complete this task. | I can’t do this as it’s impossible for me |
We are all equal. | Others are stronger/better than me. |
It’s irrelevant what others think about me. Moreover, I am not the football of others opinion | Others’ opinions matter to me the most. |
I am strong and flexible. | I feel lonely. I am vulnerable. |
I am a learner. | I fail again and again. This is too much now. |
How impactful is our belief system?
Our thoughts and beliefs have a large impact on our achievements. The man who thinks he can and the man who thinks he can’t, are both right. Our beliefs influence our emotions. How good or bad we feel are the outcomes of our beliefs. Let us understand this point by a short story, which I guess many of you have read or heard about.
There was a man who was passing by an elephant camp. While walking he suddenly stopped, bewildered by the fact that those huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front legs. No chains, no cages. Obviously, the elephants could, at any time, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not. He saw a trainer standing nearby and asked why these animals made no attempt to getaway. The trainer said, “When they are very young and much smaller, we use the same size rope to tie them and at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe that they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.” The man now understood. These animals could easily break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were. The only reason that the elephants weren’t breaking free and escaping from the camp was that over time they adopted the belief that it just wasn’t possible.
See!! that’s how impactful our belief system is; A simple belief has the power to transform your psychology and as a result your life. The view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life.
Build your beliefs positively
Unfortunately, not all the beliefs you have will move you in a positive direction like the elephant case mentioned above. Such beliefs are called the ‘Limiting beliefs’. There are many limiting beliefs that can inhibit a person’s progress. If you let these limiting beliefs control your path you will have a very hard time getting to the destination you want and seeing the success that you can achieve.
Our belief system is our mindset. So avoid believing in superstitions, false opinions, and fears, instead, start believing in the truths of life, then only you can move forward. Do not believe in things to harm you. Believe to heal, inspire, strengthen and prosper you.
Why is it so hard to believe?
Have you ever thought that, as a child, we have the strongest belief system? It’s so strong that we even trust strangers. But as we grow up, and we develop intelligence, the scenario becomes completely different. We often develop the habit to doubt both others and ourselves, gradually. There are several reasons for this doubt like fear of being judged, comparison with others, failures in different aspects of life, and many more.
Belief system issues
At some point in time, we all have to deal with setbacks, failures, rejections, and similar other problems due to which we feel so lost, stressful and confused that our belief system is shaken. We begin to lose confidence owing to these imperfections of our life. Moreover, at that point in time, we are seized with our self-doubts. Not just trusting others, we face difficulties while trusting ourselves then. Our beliefs are then replaced by several depressing thoughts and questions like,
”Will I ever be able to achieve success”?
“No matter how hard I try I never get the desired result”;
“Success is not in my destiny”;
We become so frustrated by the above thoughts that our beliefs stop us from trying ever again.
How to believe in yourself?
Believing in yourself is a choice you make every day. It becomes difficult only when we think that it might not be worth it. It is all about becoming a better version of yourself, which is only possible when you change your mindset toward your beliefs. However, you can’t overcome the above-mentioned situations of frustration unless you eliminate yourself from this constant fear of self-doubt. Firstly, adopting a positive mindset can help you to a much larger extent regarding this. Secondly, put your past away by forgiving yourself for your mistakes and try believing again. Thirdly, live in the present instead of punishing yourself for your past deeds or being anxious about your future. And most importantly, just keep making small steps each day and you will definitely start believing again.
Conclusion
“ Believe you can and you are halfway there” – by Theodore Roosevelt.
In order to do anything we need to first believe it can be done, or we would not even attempt it. So if you want to change your world, change your beliefs. When you believe in yourself, you will work on changing your circumstances for the better, gaining the skills you’ll need for the life that you want, and creating a future that you deserve. Eventually, you become more confident in who you are and the decisions that you make.
William James said, “Believe and your belief will create the fact.”
Like a muscle, the more you use self-belief, the stronger it gets and the more naturally it will come to you.
So, if you hold negative beliefs about yourself, you can be sure that your results will prove you right. However, clearly understand that the opposite is also true. When you hold powerful, positive beliefs about yourself, your results will reflect how accurate your beliefs are.
Also read: How affirmative self talk affects your life?
So start believing because if you don’t, then no one else will. In conclusion, busy your mind with the concepts of peace and goodwill and wonders will happen in your life.
Good luck!
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