Our Core Beliefs
December 15, 2009 by Steven Diamond
Filed under Daily Blog, Uncategorized
Have you ever stopped long enough and asked yourself “What are my true core beliefs?”. When I say “core beliefs”, I’m talking about the things you believe in so strongly that you’d be willing to die for them.
That is a “core belief”.
Believe it or not, most people spend more time planning their vacations then they do their lives. Our beliefs define who and what we are. Not only that, but they define who we become as people.
What do you truly believe? Have you ever really thought about it. I want you to think beyond your religious or political beliefs for a moment. Those are easy answers for most people.
What are your core beliefs?
The quality of life you are living right now and will live in the future are all directly tied to your current belief system. The people we surround ourselves with are representative of our deepest inner most thoughts. What you believe as fact on your deepest inner most level has been scientifically proven to become a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy. I guess I first learned this as a kid when I made up my mind to be a magician and travel the world. I did it. Then, I wanted to write a book and I did that too. Now, I want to build an online community where people can learn to be happy and that is slowly taking shape as well. The surest way I know to convince yourself that something is true is to do it just once. Seriously. Once you do it, you have the most solid evidence in existence that what you believe is really true. It’s not just something someone told you and you believed it. You know because you have done it.
Many years ago, someone said to me: ”We become that which we think about most.” What do you think about most?
Have you ever made a list?
Have you ever defined what you know in your heart to be true?
Have you ever challenged your own core beliefs?
It can be an amazing and revealing experience. I first learned how to do this for myself while in group therapy many years ago. We were each given the assignment to write down on a piece of paper five or ten things we truly believed in so strongly that we’d be willing to die for them. When you think about it in those terms the exercise becomes something more profound. Most people in the room, (myself included) found it truly challenging to come up with even a few good ones. I remember the first thing I wrote down was my name. But then someone pointed out that I wasn’t the name, it wasn’t who I am, just what I am called. It made me think. I really enjoyed this experiment. It can teach you so much about yourself and who you really are.
I challenge you to try this amazing exercise. Write down on a piece of paper five core beliefs. Things you believe so strongly that you would be willing to die for them. Be honest, be open and allow yourself to see your own truth.
J. Willard Marriott once said: “Good timber does not grow with ease; the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees.”
Challenge your beliefs. Dare to ask the hard questions and always reach just beyond what you feel you are capable of achieving.
Would you be willing to share your core beliefs with us?
If so, leave a comment and tell us what you believe.
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I think that if we all embraced compassionate living as one of our core beiefs, we’d have alot fewer problems in society and alot more mutual support for one another. That would entail respect for all forms of life as well, which would help address the animal welfare and environmental issues which we face today.
Another of my own core beliefs is abundance. There is nothing wrong with striving to succeed in life, especially if one plans on sharing the fruits of their success with others. I believe that John Paul DeJoria (of Paul Mitchell Hair products and Patron tequila fame) made a comment about a life spent not sharing your success is an unsuccessful life.
What an interesting question! I’m glad you mentioned aside from religion & politics, core beliefs.
One of my core beliefs is the belief in intent. Asking for something, and having it manifest, because I believe it will. This doesn’t mean I don’t work or take responsibility for it, though. Would I die for this core belief? I don’t think so. Is a belief like that something one would have to defend against death?
In the last decade or so I have also become a pacifist. I believe in peace. Remember that song, let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me? that’s my starting point, but I’m not sure how we would achieve peace on earth now. I think I would die for peace, if it was something I believed would be a reality if I died for it.
Compassionate living as defined by Annoula above is also one of my core beliefs.
This post really made me think about how much I’ve been holding myself back by setting the bar too low. I’ve always done that in the past, and I’m working on reaching farther. I have seen the power of intent work for me; I know it is possible. Yet, I still doubt it, or don’t go for it because of doubt. I wonder why. A habit I shall change, no doubt!!
Julie,
Always keep that bar just out of your reach. There is no greatness in safety. Personal greatness requires risk. Those willing to risk live full lives. One of my core beliefs
is that there is no failure. When you can not fail and you truly believe that in your heart, you’ll be amazed at what you will achieve.
I truly hope this post inspired you to move that bar and get yourself out of your peaceful comfort zone. When ever you feel yourself inching close to it, move that bar again.
Go for it!
Thank you so much for that honest post.
Steven
One of my core beliefs is that I am worthy of respect not only from myself, but from those around me.
I no longer allow people to walk all over me in relationships or otherwise.
W.
Woshinan,
I think that’s an awesome core belief. You’ll earn more respect from those around you by standing up for what is right in your own life.
Keep up the good work and let us know how the progress goes.
Steven