WOMEN: The Power of BELIEVING

We started a meaningful conversation about the roles of inspiration and movitation in our lives. In response, Susan Reid offered a new level thinking Alkamae blog in her message The Yin and Yang of Inspiration and Motivation

Our conversation made me also want to highlight the essential element of BELIEF and its power over all that makes us fearful. Sometimes it is hard to get to that place of truly putting your heart into believing...

This is particularly true when are surrounded with so much negative, glass-half-full, and sometimes stark realities to deal with in our own lives that it is hard at times to step out of the self-defeating, overwhelming space to see the possibilities. In recent weeks, I humbly admit that a giant wave seemed to catch me by surprise. I do know better and I always find myself longing for the positive, long-view that has always lifted me up.

I feel blessed to have been given a generous gift of an optimistic nature. In my darkness hours, I've always been able to see Light, to pull myself up, moving on to a better tomorrow. Only in recent years have I realized how this inner, in-born faith shaped my life and work for which I am most grateful. During years of great struggles, I was too busy trying to survive to even recognize this quality existed in me.

Life has drawn me to optimistic role models ---- many I've never met, but I soaked up their insights and worked to apply what I learned from watching them and listening to them. One book that truly cast an enduring influence is the Magic of Believing by Claude Bristol. This tiny book (and audio CD) written in 1948, long before I would find it's message, remains a bestseller today. Everyone I've shared it with that has applied Mr. Bristol's techniques of positive thinking and believing has also enjoy amazing successes in their lives and work.

"...All great things in this world, have been done by men and women who were dreamers and believers in their dreams coming true. It's the belief and the following through that makes things possible."

--- Claude Bristol

What great things are you dreaming?
What action are you taking to work toward them coming true for you?

Remember, there is a magic in believing!

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
Home of Women in the Lead

Comments

[Lynne]

There are two ancillary aspects of belief, I think, that give it real power. The first, as you mentioned, is taking action. As we all know, the Universe abhors a vacuum -- so movement in a meaningful direction has always been a key element in helping me to keep my fears at bay.

The second aspect is trust. While some may say that belief and trust are the same thing, I actually think that they represent two sides of the same coin. Belief, to me, is a more rational element that is fueled by conviction. Trust is a more emotional element; it is the soft core of belief -- and is fueled by a willingness to let go.

My experience is that fear is most effectively dissipated when I can ignore my ego and thoughts about how things "should" be. Once that is accomplished, the rest comes so much more easily!

[Susan]

Belief, indeed is a powerful force. Though, what is belief? A thought repeated over and over again. The sticky thing about belief is that once a thought has been thought over and over again, it begins to take on the form of truth. This is what got us into the Iraq war to begin with--a belief thought to be truth.

[Debbe Kennedy, Women in the Lead Inspiration BLOG]

Lynne and Susan,
Oh, you two are sending me to bed in deep thought. I will return...

Great thought-provoking comments and that big question what is it?

Debbe