Reawaken Belief in Self

Today’s blog will be short…I think.  As I get older I feel like my faith or belief in my own ability to change or impact the world is slowly fading and I’m not exactly sure why that is.  Now as far as I know I’m not depressed or lacking self-confidence or anything like that but just things that I once believed I could do, I now doubt and no longer believe.  For example, when I was a child I believed I could do anything, even fly, or learn to stop time.  I was innocent and naïve back then I guess but my belief in self was powerful.  I literally believed I could do anything if I wanted to! 

Though my childhood beliefs were far-fetched, they highlight how slowly, as we age, we begin to doubt and lose faith.  Things we once believed were possible become impossible.  I’ve learned that as we become wiser and more experienced in how the world runs and works, our faith and belief in self for whatever reason diminishes along with at least some of our dreams and aspirations.  Sadly, we even begin to create roadblocks or develop belief patterns that are entirely made up, self-created, and untrue that prevent us from dreaming big.  And right now I’m having a big problem with this….   

Recently I learned about a small business that was struggling with some changes in the competitive landscape of their market.  Most everyone, including even the owner believed the business was doomed and that it was only a matter of time before the business would be forced to close its doors forever.  Though most everyone was aware of this business’ hardships, one employee, who seemingly had an insignificant job within the company, and who actually had some slight mental challenges, thought differently.  Without thoughts of compensation or recognition of any kind, and without any doubts, he began to do simple things that eventually had a tremendous impact on the organization.  In fact his simple actions prompted others to follow which eventually saved the business.  How did he do this?  It was his mindset, he believed.  Though he was one of the most unlikely people that could save the business, he had faith, innocent child like faith that he could truly make a difference.  Some would probably say he was even naïve in his belief initially yet he went to work without doubts and made what he thought was possible a reality. 

This story was inspiring to me!  My challenge for myself and to you is to find ways to rediscover that innocent faith again, to believe anything is possible and then to go after it just like this “unlikely hero” employee.  I don’t believe we have to lose our faith or even change or modify our dreams as we age.  I think we can fight it, even as we grow older and wiser and in fact dream even bigger.  If we can retain or reawaken the innocent faith of our unlimited potential to impact this world, we will be able to do anything.   Our potential and our future lies within our belief of what is possible.