"The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen."
* Frank Lloyd Wright, as quoted in My Favorite Quotations (1990) by Norman Vincent Peale
I have a friend who talks a lot about helping the poor and disadvantaged segments of our society. A noble pursuit indeed, and an area that is definitely worthy of ongoing attention and action from individuals, organizations and governments. Here's the kicker: from from all appearances and everything my friend says to me, he truly believes in his heart that the majority of people are selfish and uncaring about the plight of the unfortunate. He eloquently argues that materialism has blinded everyday people to the poverty and the social challenges that many around them face - that very few are motivated to help. He expresses frustration at "society"and bemoans that more is not being done. He more or less throws his hands up in the air and suggests that the situation is dire, and it sure isn't getting better anytime soon!
Here's the kicker. My friend is absolutely "right" about those things. His rock solid BELIEF in those things creates the exact matching scenario for him and his world. He constantly sees selfish and uncaring attitudes because that is what he is constantly looking for! Think about this - when people believe in something passionately, they are not seeking to be proven wrong. Conversely they look around themselves and strive to identify situations that affirm their belief, that "proves" their point of view. The simple fact is that if you strongly believe that people are basically selfish, there will never be shortage of selfish behaviors to observe and point to!
Now let me tell you about another friend of mine who has very similar concerns about those in need, especially the people in our own community. She believes that she can make a difference. She believes that others can too. She believes that everyone has a generous spirit and a compassionate heart and that they just need to be reminded of it! She acts on her belief every day - she fundraises, she organizes she helps groups and individuals. She spreads the love that bursts from inside her! Not as a professional aid or social worker, (she has a regular everyday job) but as someone who simply believes in her heart that everything is possible - that good things are hidden in every challenge. She inspires me to do more to get involved and I guarantee you that that I'm not the only one who notices her "belief." You know what? She is no different at all from the friend I described earlier. They both have the same concerns and they are both good people with good intentions. The one difference that impacts the reality of their experience is BELIEF.
What do you believe? The foundation of your life is made up of what you believe about the world around you and what your place is in it. The great thing is that you get to choose!
* Frank Lloyd Wright, as quoted in My Favorite Quotations (1990) by Norman Vincent Peale
I have a friend who talks a lot about helping the poor and disadvantaged segments of our society. A noble pursuit indeed, and an area that is definitely worthy of ongoing attention and action from individuals, organizations and governments. Here's the kicker: from from all appearances and everything my friend says to me, he truly believes in his heart that the majority of people are selfish and uncaring about the plight of the unfortunate. He eloquently argues that materialism has blinded everyday people to the poverty and the social challenges that many around them face - that very few are motivated to help. He expresses frustration at "society"and bemoans that more is not being done. He more or less throws his hands up in the air and suggests that the situation is dire, and it sure isn't getting better anytime soon!
Here's the kicker. My friend is absolutely "right" about those things. His rock solid BELIEF in those things creates the exact matching scenario for him and his world. He constantly sees selfish and uncaring attitudes because that is what he is constantly looking for! Think about this - when people believe in something passionately, they are not seeking to be proven wrong. Conversely they look around themselves and strive to identify situations that affirm their belief, that "proves" their point of view. The simple fact is that if you strongly believe that people are basically selfish, there will never be shortage of selfish behaviors to observe and point to!
Now let me tell you about another friend of mine who has very similar concerns about those in need, especially the people in our own community. She believes that she can make a difference. She believes that others can too. She believes that everyone has a generous spirit and a compassionate heart and that they just need to be reminded of it! She acts on her belief every day - she fundraises, she organizes she helps groups and individuals. She spreads the love that bursts from inside her! Not as a professional aid or social worker, (she has a regular everyday job) but as someone who simply believes in her heart that everything is possible - that good things are hidden in every challenge. She inspires me to do more to get involved and I guarantee you that that I'm not the only one who notices her "belief." You know what? She is no different at all from the friend I described earlier. They both have the same concerns and they are both good people with good intentions. The one difference that impacts the reality of their experience is BELIEF.
What do you believe? The foundation of your life is made up of what you believe about the world around you and what your place is in it. The great thing is that you get to choose!