A Pattern of Belief
Belief. Conviction. Decision. These are some of the core thematic elements within life. We start by believing, perhaps with only a set of presumptions based on how we were raised, or the environments that we have been exposed to and engage within. We then either consciously or unconsciously engage in this set of beliefs, deciding on what does or does not fit within our dogmatic spectrum. We then, often, become convicted within these beliefs, posing them as the implicit paragons of our lives. We may even espouse our beliefs to others, proselytizing our position within the world to whomever will listen. As a writer, I often struggle with this. I am conscious of my audience, and often rely on my convictions about the world to eschew the fact that there are an innumerable amount of alternate beliefs and thoughts on any given topic that I choose to write about. Writers are perhaps the Jehovas Witnesses of the art world, overtly deciding on the message and subtext of the ideas that they wish to express, constantly banging on our doors.
Belief and conviction also necessitate decision within our lives. Once we have firmly ensconced ourselves within the patterns of thought and behavior that we wish to express externally to the world, we subsequently make decisions on the basis of aligning with the dogma that we have chosen to subscribe to within our lives. These decisions vary in significance and importance from what we eat for breakfast, to the people that we marry, and eventually how we carry ourselves within the world. The beliefs and convictions that we carry with us in our daily lives, whether conscious or unconscious, end up defining our existence, and subsequently how we approach the world. Perhaps they also determine how the world encounters us.
However, there is one belief that is fundamentally expressed internally, but is ultimately expressed externally. Belief in one's own self is perhaps the most important belief that we can carry with us throughout our lives. Belief in ourselves is tantamount to belief in all things: Belief that things will get better, belief that we are stronger than our minds convince us, belief in a higher power. By simply deciding to believe more in ourselves and our own capacity for greatness, our abilities to become positive impactful human beings will grow with our newfound capability to interact with the world in the same way. Truly believing in yourself is to hold yourself in the highest esteem possible, while simulatneously understanding the reality of your capactiy to realize it. Perhaps the most important part of self belief is that it is a standard that no man can take away. Externally, we can be tortured, abused, or simply disregarded but a firm belief in one’s self is a super power that bends to no kryptonite.
So then, our system of belief should first and foremost reflect intrinsic belief within ourselves. Once we have established a firm belief in our own capabilities, we can begin to construct a doctrine for our own a lives. We can begin to determine the external beliefs that hold fast to our internal dialogues, and start to recognize the potential incongruities within our life experience. Only once that is all sorted can we commence upon an authentic journey within this world. A journey of authenticity should perhaps be the most soul satisfying travail that we can endeavor, bringing us closer to our true convictions, and subsequently making the most incontrevertible decisions for ourselves.
