Self confidence at times can be a fragile quality. Many other people can destroy our self confidence particularly if our actions are driven by the desire to please them at the expense of what we believe to be true.
Here is the tale of the lion and the hedgehogs.
Once upon a time there was a lion living in the jungle with all his lion friends. One day he grew adventurous and decided to go and see the wider world. He stumbled on the home of the hedgehogs. This was a nice place; a place he liked very much. He asked the head hedgehog if he could stay with them.
“Sorry, you can’t stay here you are too different. Cut off your tail and become like us” said head hedgehog.
With some deep reservations the lion took the advice and cut off his tail. On his return to head hedgehog he was told
“No, still too different. Shave off your hair and come back to me.”
Although he thought this rather drastic, he was eager to please so he shaved off his hair.
“Your claws are too long” retorted the head hedgehog. “You’ll have too chop them off”.
Desperate to gain the acceptance of the hedgehogs he clipped his claws back to nothing and returned to the head hedgehog once more.
“No still not right. Look no matter what you change about yourself, you are still different. It must be your personality. It’s in your nature to be a lion. You will never be a hedgehog so please go away and leave us alone”.
The lion set off to find his old lion friends in the jungle. But once there he found more rejection.
“You’ve lost your identity” cried out one of the others. “You’re no longer a lion”.
No longer a lion and didn’t get to make it to hedgehog status either, whom or what had he become?
The lion had sold his identity in exchange for acceptance by the hedgehogs. He had sold his true self for the approval of others. People can be like this lion too. Perhaps we change the way we dress or do things that other people want despite this going against our better judgement, purely to gain acceptance. This results in either acceptance but no self confidence or rejection and a loss of identity.
Sometimes it’s hard to appreciate but other people do respect others with differing opinions, ideas and interests. By discarding our identity for the acceptance of others we lose our true selves. Yes we can change ourselves for the better but we should do it for ourselves and not for other people.
Although I believe that believing in God is becoming fashionable again it was not that long ago that having a faith deemed us as not conforming. It was not “cool” to declare our belief in God. Yet having our faith, no matter how we choose to follow that faith, forms part of our personality. We must never deny God just to appear to be “cool” in the eyes of others.
Unto thine own self be true.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
Showing posts with label building self confidence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label building self confidence. Show all posts
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Sunday, 25 October 2009
How to be Unsuccessful
What is the meaning of faith?
What do we want to be successful for?
Waking up in the morning feeling great, feeling in control, feeling victorious.
Who wants that?
It gives you energy, then that means you have to get involved with things to burn that energy off. It would mean we’d have to be constructive and make positive contributions to the world, have things in life we really want.
Is that really how we want our lives to be?
Do we rally want loads of friends, a happy family with laughing children around our feet?
Isn’t it better to have false beliefs?
At least with false beliefs we can limit our potential, limit our abilities. If we really can’t have happiness and success we can wallow in our misery, not have to live up to expectations, watching everybody else have what they want knowing we couldn’t possibly have that.
External influences. This is a great one. We can blame other things, other people for us not making our lives better. Yes, then that takes the pressure off and we can then live with our consciences because it wasn’t our fault. It wasn’t our fault the exam board set the exams so hard that we failed. Yeh, forget the fact we couldn’t be bothered to revise.
No perseverance.
How does the saying go?
“If at first you don’t succeed, give up”. Sounds like a good motto to live our lives by to me.
Why should we be bothered to exhaust all avenues to live our dream?
That sounds to much like hard work to me. If we fall over and hurt ourselves that’s a good enough reason to give up, isn’t it?
Be flexible?
Why?
If something doesn’t work, surely there isn’t another method to get the same result. That means being adaptable, having to think a little deeper, study a bit harder to find away around obstacles. We might have to start talking to people to see if they have solutions, and find out what they might think. We know what they will think. They will think we are stupid.
It isn’t worth it is it?
Then there’s the bit about planning, setting goals. Look, if we don’t plan to get ahead, well, somebody else will. If we don’t plan to get that highly paid job, somebody else will. If we don’t plan to get that fantastic house, somebody else will. We don’t want to set goals. That might put pressure on us to achieve them.
No it’s much better not to plan, isn’t it?
Self-confidence. Wow now, surely we’re better off being the shy one. All said and done, we’re protected if we live up to our belief that we cannot do it. Our feelings are protected. Let’s face it, if we start taking risks we’re only going to fail.
And then what will people think?
No, it’s much more comfortable to have no self-confidence. If we want self-confidence we need to practice all that self-confidence stuff, and we might feel inclined to get off our backsides and get on with things.
Besides we’re frightened. We’re frightened of stepping into the dark. We don’t know every step to take even if God is there to show us the way.
And what if we do become successful?
How do we handle success?
We’re only used to failure aren’t we chaps? ….. Chaps……Hello…..Where are you?
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.cryinthedark.org
What do we want to be successful for?
Waking up in the morning feeling great, feeling in control, feeling victorious.
Who wants that?
It gives you energy, then that means you have to get involved with things to burn that energy off. It would mean we’d have to be constructive and make positive contributions to the world, have things in life we really want.
Is that really how we want our lives to be?
Do we rally want loads of friends, a happy family with laughing children around our feet?
Isn’t it better to have false beliefs?
At least with false beliefs we can limit our potential, limit our abilities. If we really can’t have happiness and success we can wallow in our misery, not have to live up to expectations, watching everybody else have what they want knowing we couldn’t possibly have that.
External influences. This is a great one. We can blame other things, other people for us not making our lives better. Yes, then that takes the pressure off and we can then live with our consciences because it wasn’t our fault. It wasn’t our fault the exam board set the exams so hard that we failed. Yeh, forget the fact we couldn’t be bothered to revise.
No perseverance.
How does the saying go?
“If at first you don’t succeed, give up”. Sounds like a good motto to live our lives by to me.
Why should we be bothered to exhaust all avenues to live our dream?
That sounds to much like hard work to me. If we fall over and hurt ourselves that’s a good enough reason to give up, isn’t it?
Be flexible?
Why?
If something doesn’t work, surely there isn’t another method to get the same result. That means being adaptable, having to think a little deeper, study a bit harder to find away around obstacles. We might have to start talking to people to see if they have solutions, and find out what they might think. We know what they will think. They will think we are stupid.
It isn’t worth it is it?
Then there’s the bit about planning, setting goals. Look, if we don’t plan to get ahead, well, somebody else will. If we don’t plan to get that highly paid job, somebody else will. If we don’t plan to get that fantastic house, somebody else will. We don’t want to set goals. That might put pressure on us to achieve them.
No it’s much better not to plan, isn’t it?
Self-confidence. Wow now, surely we’re better off being the shy one. All said and done, we’re protected if we live up to our belief that we cannot do it. Our feelings are protected. Let’s face it, if we start taking risks we’re only going to fail.
And then what will people think?
No, it’s much more comfortable to have no self-confidence. If we want self-confidence we need to practice all that self-confidence stuff, and we might feel inclined to get off our backsides and get on with things.
Besides we’re frightened. We’re frightened of stepping into the dark. We don’t know every step to take even if God is there to show us the way.
And what if we do become successful?
How do we handle success?
We’re only used to failure aren’t we chaps? ….. Chaps……Hello…..Where are you?
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.cryinthedark.org
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
There's Nothing Like Being Stuck in the Toilet to Sink Your Self Esteem
There are probably many times when things go wrong and a lack of self esteem creeps in. Sometimes the problem can be so severe that you have your doubts about God being by our side helping us through the turmoil’s in life. God however does carry us through and we always come out the other end being the stronger for it.
I am about to introduce literally some toilet humour into this writing. It’s not intended to offend so please turn away now if this is not your thing.
I was using a public convenience the other day and it reminded me of a time some while ago when I was caught out. Now I know this will resonate with more than a few of you when I say that I was desperate to use the toilet on this particular occasion and rushed into a public convenience. After doing my business I went for the toilet paper. None there!!!
What do you do?
Well some of the alternatives would be:-
Search to see how much tissue you have in your pockets.
Wait until there is nobody about and then dart into another cubicle with your trousers around your ankles.
Call for help to see if somebody can get you some paper from another cubicle or an attendant.
Wait until you get home.
I’m sure there are hundreds of answers to this problem. In my case I did have enough tissue in my pockets to get me out of the mire. At times like this, panic could easily set in and we could end up wondering where the help is at this particular moment. But the truth is, answers are given, we do get ourselves out of sticky situations and two days later we are laughing about these with our friends.
As with all awkward and difficult situations there are lessons to be learned. There is no doubt that I will use public conveniences again in the future but the lesson that I have learned; CHECK TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY PAPER FIRST.
This is a light hearted look at problems. But so many problems in life are far more serious than this. Our self confidence, inspiration, optimism and hope can be knocked for six and there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. At first, there is desperation; absolutely hating to be in this dark, horrible place, wanting more than anything to get out of this tunnel. But after a while you start treading carefully, feeling your way along the walls. Occasionally we may stumble over a bolder but our self confidence starts to grow now. The darkness seems to be more bearable as our eyes get accustomed to it and we can even make out some silhouettes of obstacles in our way.
God is on this journey with us, guiding us and holding our hand. Eventually he shows us the light, his light at the end of this particular tunnel.
And we have learned from this experience, so that we are not so afraid to take another trip along this tunnel, but we are wiser now, we recognise the barriers along the way and we can get to the end a lot faster.
If we believe in God, we never walk alone. We have hope in our hearts which creates optimism and motivation, inspiration and self confidence and the ability to overcome the most dire of circumstances.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
I am about to introduce literally some toilet humour into this writing. It’s not intended to offend so please turn away now if this is not your thing.
I was using a public convenience the other day and it reminded me of a time some while ago when I was caught out. Now I know this will resonate with more than a few of you when I say that I was desperate to use the toilet on this particular occasion and rushed into a public convenience. After doing my business I went for the toilet paper. None there!!!
What do you do?
Well some of the alternatives would be:-
Search to see how much tissue you have in your pockets.
Wait until there is nobody about and then dart into another cubicle with your trousers around your ankles.
Call for help to see if somebody can get you some paper from another cubicle or an attendant.
Wait until you get home.
I’m sure there are hundreds of answers to this problem. In my case I did have enough tissue in my pockets to get me out of the mire. At times like this, panic could easily set in and we could end up wondering where the help is at this particular moment. But the truth is, answers are given, we do get ourselves out of sticky situations and two days later we are laughing about these with our friends.
As with all awkward and difficult situations there are lessons to be learned. There is no doubt that I will use public conveniences again in the future but the lesson that I have learned; CHECK TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY PAPER FIRST.
This is a light hearted look at problems. But so many problems in life are far more serious than this. Our self confidence, inspiration, optimism and hope can be knocked for six and there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. At first, there is desperation; absolutely hating to be in this dark, horrible place, wanting more than anything to get out of this tunnel. But after a while you start treading carefully, feeling your way along the walls. Occasionally we may stumble over a bolder but our self confidence starts to grow now. The darkness seems to be more bearable as our eyes get accustomed to it and we can even make out some silhouettes of obstacles in our way.
God is on this journey with us, guiding us and holding our hand. Eventually he shows us the light, his light at the end of this particular tunnel.
And we have learned from this experience, so that we are not so afraid to take another trip along this tunnel, but we are wiser now, we recognise the barriers along the way and we can get to the end a lot faster.
If we believe in God, we never walk alone. We have hope in our hearts which creates optimism and motivation, inspiration and self confidence and the ability to overcome the most dire of circumstances.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
Improve Your Life by Being an Inspiration to Others Using Optimism
How many people can be described as optimistic?
What is optimism and how can it play an important role in our thoughts and successes?
Can optimism increase our self esteem, confidence and improve our motivation?
Optimism can be defined as a positive approach to life, always having an upbeat attitude that places us in the right position to achieve success. An optimist will believe that things will always turn out great despite the tough times that life throws up from time to time. Optimism cushions us from despair and hopelessness when the going gets tough.
Optimism has been defined by Martin Seligman, author of many books on this subject, by how we see events, using the three dimensions internal/external, permanent/temporary and pervasive/specific. An optimist will credit him/herself for the good times (internal), believing the good times will last (permanent) and these will affect other parts of their lives (pervasive). When the going does get tough, an optimist puts this down to circumstances outside of their control (external), the problems won’t last (temporary) and they only affect this particular situation (specific).
The pessimist on the other hand will see things in totally the reverse.
An optimist will see a life full of abundance. They will see a glass as being half full whilst the pessimist will see it as being half empty.
Self esteem can very much determine whether or not we are optimists. If we truly believe we are worthwhile people who deserve happiness and abundance we will see the world in a positive light. We will view ourselves positively as well.
If we fail to get that promotion we were after we say to ourselves,
“I don’t have the skills that they were looking for yet, but I know that if I study and practice I will develop those skills and be better placed next time.”
By saying “I’m not good enough, perhaps I’m not cut out for promotion” is very much the attitude of the pessimist. Pessimists blame themselves when things don’t happen the way they would like and then give up when the hard times come around.
Like many traits in our personality, optimism/pessimism is determined in our early years by our temperament and how we react to events as we go through life, influenced by our environment, family, peers and our education. However, optimism can be learned and a tendency towards pessimism can be overturned.
Just one technique is to catch ourselves when thinking negatively and focus on a more positive view.
“I’m rubbish at playing squash, I’m going to give up playing” can be turned into “I can easily enjoy squash without having to be perfect at it”.
Many of the most successful people are optimists, achieving great things because they have confidence in themselves and believe that they deserve happiness and abundance. Optimism gives them the motivation to go out and succeed and their optimism is an inspiration to so many others.
Terry Norrington
www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index#terryn1
www.getselfconfident.com
What is optimism and how can it play an important role in our thoughts and successes?
Can optimism increase our self esteem, confidence and improve our motivation?
Optimism can be defined as a positive approach to life, always having an upbeat attitude that places us in the right position to achieve success. An optimist will believe that things will always turn out great despite the tough times that life throws up from time to time. Optimism cushions us from despair and hopelessness when the going gets tough.
Optimism has been defined by Martin Seligman, author of many books on this subject, by how we see events, using the three dimensions internal/external, permanent/temporary and pervasive/specific. An optimist will credit him/herself for the good times (internal), believing the good times will last (permanent) and these will affect other parts of their lives (pervasive). When the going does get tough, an optimist puts this down to circumstances outside of their control (external), the problems won’t last (temporary) and they only affect this particular situation (specific).
The pessimist on the other hand will see things in totally the reverse.
An optimist will see a life full of abundance. They will see a glass as being half full whilst the pessimist will see it as being half empty.
Self esteem can very much determine whether or not we are optimists. If we truly believe we are worthwhile people who deserve happiness and abundance we will see the world in a positive light. We will view ourselves positively as well.
If we fail to get that promotion we were after we say to ourselves,
“I don’t have the skills that they were looking for yet, but I know that if I study and practice I will develop those skills and be better placed next time.”
By saying “I’m not good enough, perhaps I’m not cut out for promotion” is very much the attitude of the pessimist. Pessimists blame themselves when things don’t happen the way they would like and then give up when the hard times come around.
Like many traits in our personality, optimism/pessimism is determined in our early years by our temperament and how we react to events as we go through life, influenced by our environment, family, peers and our education. However, optimism can be learned and a tendency towards pessimism can be overturned.
Just one technique is to catch ourselves when thinking negatively and focus on a more positive view.
“I’m rubbish at playing squash, I’m going to give up playing” can be turned into “I can easily enjoy squash without having to be perfect at it”.
Many of the most successful people are optimists, achieving great things because they have confidence in themselves and believe that they deserve happiness and abundance. Optimism gives them the motivation to go out and succeed and their optimism is an inspiration to so many others.
Terry Norrington
www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index#terryn1
www.getselfconfident.com
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
It in the Eyes You Know
In the last article the eyes were mentioned as being a possible give away if somebody is being less than honest with you. So what are the tell tale signs that the eyes may give?
There are links between the way somebody might be thinking and the direction their eyes will go. There are six directions in which the eyes will move whilst that person is in thought. Upper left, upper right, middle left, middle right, lower left and lower right.
So what do the differing directions indicate?
The following is an illustration for a right handed person.
Upper left is for visual construction. This indicates that a person is constructing a visual image.
Upper right is for visual memory. This indicates that a person is remembering a visual image.
Middle left is for auditory construction. This is an indication that our person being observed is constructing a sound.
Middle right is for auditory memory. This indicates that the person is remembering a sound.
Lower left is for Kinetics. This will mean that our person is remembering feelings.
Lower right is for auditory digital. Our person in question is talking to him/herself.
To give an example. A person can be asked the colour of their car. The eyes should go to the upper right, remembering the colour of that car. If the eyes go to the upper left then they are constructing a colour rather than remembering it therefore could quite possibly be making up an answer.
Now for the caution. Having described all this, it is not the most reliable of methods. These are some of the reasons why this method could let you down.
The person is left handed. If this is the case the eye direction should be reversed.
There are some people when trying to remember will manage to keep their eye direction in the middle.
Other people may focus and refocus their eyes when remembering and their eyes will move in any direction.
The mind is a superior device with hundreds of thoughts passing through at any one time. The eyes could therefore move in any direction dependant on the thoughts.
Although not fool proof, this method of detecting if you are getting the truth from someone is a worthwhile exercise and may be able to help you read that persons mind.
Terry Norrington
www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index#terryn1
www.getselfconfident.com
There are links between the way somebody might be thinking and the direction their eyes will go. There are six directions in which the eyes will move whilst that person is in thought. Upper left, upper right, middle left, middle right, lower left and lower right.
So what do the differing directions indicate?
The following is an illustration for a right handed person.
Upper left is for visual construction. This indicates that a person is constructing a visual image.
Upper right is for visual memory. This indicates that a person is remembering a visual image.
Middle left is for auditory construction. This is an indication that our person being observed is constructing a sound.
Middle right is for auditory memory. This indicates that the person is remembering a sound.
Lower left is for Kinetics. This will mean that our person is remembering feelings.
Lower right is for auditory digital. Our person in question is talking to him/herself.
To give an example. A person can be asked the colour of their car. The eyes should go to the upper right, remembering the colour of that car. If the eyes go to the upper left then they are constructing a colour rather than remembering it therefore could quite possibly be making up an answer.
Now for the caution. Having described all this, it is not the most reliable of methods. These are some of the reasons why this method could let you down.
The person is left handed. If this is the case the eye direction should be reversed.
There are some people when trying to remember will manage to keep their eye direction in the middle.
Other people may focus and refocus their eyes when remembering and their eyes will move in any direction.
The mind is a superior device with hundreds of thoughts passing through at any one time. The eyes could therefore move in any direction dependant on the thoughts.
Although not fool proof, this method of detecting if you are getting the truth from someone is a worthwhile exercise and may be able to help you read that persons mind.
Terry Norrington
www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index#terryn1
www.getselfconfident.com
Monday, 29 December 2008
Unleash That Belief in Your Self and Create the Magic of Self Confidence
Why is it that some seem to have limited potential?
Why is “the sky’s the limit” for some people and not for others?
Why do some people struggle to get on in life?
Largely it is down to belief. Our core beliefs about ourselves and our confidence determine how we react to life and the circumstances that arise. For many years animals used to be a major attraction in circuses (not so much now thank goodness). The elephant was a star attraction at many of these performances having been tamed from birth. An animal the size of an elephant has the potential to cause chaos if it was able to escape. But as babies they were chained to heavy iron balls making it almost impossible to break free. As time goes on the elephant begins to believe that it is incapable of escaping even once it is released from the burden of that heavy iron ball. The belief system of the elephant is now one of captivity.
Human beings are very much like that baby elephant, weighed down by their false beliefs, beliefs that have been created by unwitting comments of trustworthy people.
We’re too old to learn a new sport. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
I can’t get a decent job. I’m no good for the jobs market.
Nobody gets everything in life.
You have no time for activities once you’re married.
I can’t quit smoking.
I’m never lucky.
Do some of these phrases sound familiar?
Robert and Charles used to play football together. Robert was brought up to believe that you can’t have everything in life that you want. By coincidence they both had an interview for the same job. The job entailed working 12 hours per day, 6 days per week. Robert, believing that he couldn’t have everything in life, took the job and quitted his regular game of football. Charles, on the other hand, decided to decline the job, believing that a position that better suited his schedule would soon come along. Robert gradually became depressed with the situation, and all motivation and inspiration drifted away. He felt that there was something missing in his life and after a year he quit the job.
So many people are held back by false beliefs. They think that they are fine as they are even though they have the ability to advance in life. These people don’t bother to learn new skills’ thinking that this is all life has to offer.
Many others will quit sport or a favourite leisure activity believing that marriage and a career is life consuming; like Robert believing that it is impossible to have everything in life that they want.
How many people do we know that won’t start new relationships, their self confidence destroyed by a previous broken relationship? They somehow believe that they have lost their “soul mate” and will not be suitable for anybody else.
So how does one break away from these false beliefs that are anchoring us down and preventing us from sailing to the port of success?
We must test the opinions of others. If we find ourselves failing to take an exam because someone has said it is too hard, take that exam for yourself. After all, that person is unlikely to have the same skill set as us.
If you are told that a box is too heavy to lift, don’t take that person’s word for it. Go and try it yourself (but be careful not to strain your back in the process. I don’t want the Health and Safety Executive coming down on me).
Henry Ford once said,
“If you think you can do a thing or think that you can’t do a thing, you are right”.
Your beliefs and self confidence will make you the person you want to be. Believe it.
Terry Norrington
www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index#terryn1
www.getselfconfident.com
Why is “the sky’s the limit” for some people and not for others?
Why do some people struggle to get on in life?
Largely it is down to belief. Our core beliefs about ourselves and our confidence determine how we react to life and the circumstances that arise. For many years animals used to be a major attraction in circuses (not so much now thank goodness). The elephant was a star attraction at many of these performances having been tamed from birth. An animal the size of an elephant has the potential to cause chaos if it was able to escape. But as babies they were chained to heavy iron balls making it almost impossible to break free. As time goes on the elephant begins to believe that it is incapable of escaping even once it is released from the burden of that heavy iron ball. The belief system of the elephant is now one of captivity.
Human beings are very much like that baby elephant, weighed down by their false beliefs, beliefs that have been created by unwitting comments of trustworthy people.
We’re too old to learn a new sport. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
I can’t get a decent job. I’m no good for the jobs market.
Nobody gets everything in life.
You have no time for activities once you’re married.
I can’t quit smoking.
I’m never lucky.
Do some of these phrases sound familiar?
Robert and Charles used to play football together. Robert was brought up to believe that you can’t have everything in life that you want. By coincidence they both had an interview for the same job. The job entailed working 12 hours per day, 6 days per week. Robert, believing that he couldn’t have everything in life, took the job and quitted his regular game of football. Charles, on the other hand, decided to decline the job, believing that a position that better suited his schedule would soon come along. Robert gradually became depressed with the situation, and all motivation and inspiration drifted away. He felt that there was something missing in his life and after a year he quit the job.
So many people are held back by false beliefs. They think that they are fine as they are even though they have the ability to advance in life. These people don’t bother to learn new skills’ thinking that this is all life has to offer.
Many others will quit sport or a favourite leisure activity believing that marriage and a career is life consuming; like Robert believing that it is impossible to have everything in life that they want.
How many people do we know that won’t start new relationships, their self confidence destroyed by a previous broken relationship? They somehow believe that they have lost their “soul mate” and will not be suitable for anybody else.
So how does one break away from these false beliefs that are anchoring us down and preventing us from sailing to the port of success?
We must test the opinions of others. If we find ourselves failing to take an exam because someone has said it is too hard, take that exam for yourself. After all, that person is unlikely to have the same skill set as us.
If you are told that a box is too heavy to lift, don’t take that person’s word for it. Go and try it yourself (but be careful not to strain your back in the process. I don’t want the Health and Safety Executive coming down on me).
Henry Ford once said,
“If you think you can do a thing or think that you can’t do a thing, you are right”.
Your beliefs and self confidence will make you the person you want to be. Believe it.
Terry Norrington
www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index#terryn1
www.getselfconfident.com
Monday, 22 December 2008
How Our Beliefs Can Provide Self Confidence and a Better Life
Self confidence derives from a belief in ourselves and our belief systems. But what are the things that we believe in that give us self confidence and hope?
For some, it is enough to believe in our own abilities, confident that we can find our way over any obstacle and drive on down the road to success. Many more draw comfort from their faiths and religion.
What follows next is not in any way intended to offend but to provide thought and debate. These are my thoughts which have been banded about among friends and I encourage anybody to comment and provide their own thoughts.
I attend church and am actively involved by helping with communion and occasionally conducting readings. I consider myself to be Christian, trying to live my life according to a code of morals that I believe most devout followers of all the main religions would follow too.
Yet there are some elements of the old testament that I struggle to get my head around. The idea that God has created us in his own image fails to resonate with me. I truly believe that a greater force has created us but in his own likeness?
It is easy for me to understand a greater power, our creator. If the big bang theory is to be believed, ie. the whole universe was created by a massive nuclear explosion generated from one single atom, well who or what put that atom there in the first place?
I also struggle to see how the world was created in seven days (six really, as on the seventh day God put his feet up). I have heard it said that each day represents a period of time in the earth’s massive history. One day equals so many millions or billions of years. Yet other Christian religions follow the bible word for word. Where does the truth lie?
Does it really matter?
The fact is that a belief in any religion gives us strength, it gives us hope and it gives us a set of rules by which to lead our lives upon. If we gain self confidence and a belief that we can succeed and rise above all uncertainties and yet still remain true to ourselves, religion must be a good thing mustn’t it?
I feel the danger comes from believing that our religion is right and true above all others. Then it can lead to fundamentalism. The belief that everybody should believe exactly what we believe and condemn those that don’t is surely a recipe for trouble.
In the small town where I live I am proud of the Churches Together initiative. Like minded people gather and talk freely together and work for the benefit of the community. Yet we are free to believe the way in which we want to believe. I don’t proclaim to know much about every main religion but if we all have a belief and a set of moral guidelines on which to follow, there is no reason on earth why we all cannot live in peace with each other.
These are some of my beliefs, beliefs that give me the self confidence and the desire to drive forward on a journey through life that provides success and immense satisfaction. I remember my grandmother saying in her last days.
“I’ve lived a great life and I’m ready to go now”
My intention is to be able to say exactly the same. Through my beliefs, self confidence and energy, I know I will.
Terry Norrington
www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index#terryn1
http://www.getselfconfident.com/
For some, it is enough to believe in our own abilities, confident that we can find our way over any obstacle and drive on down the road to success. Many more draw comfort from their faiths and religion.
What follows next is not in any way intended to offend but to provide thought and debate. These are my thoughts which have been banded about among friends and I encourage anybody to comment and provide their own thoughts.
I attend church and am actively involved by helping with communion and occasionally conducting readings. I consider myself to be Christian, trying to live my life according to a code of morals that I believe most devout followers of all the main religions would follow too.
Yet there are some elements of the old testament that I struggle to get my head around. The idea that God has created us in his own image fails to resonate with me. I truly believe that a greater force has created us but in his own likeness?
It is easy for me to understand a greater power, our creator. If the big bang theory is to be believed, ie. the whole universe was created by a massive nuclear explosion generated from one single atom, well who or what put that atom there in the first place?
I also struggle to see how the world was created in seven days (six really, as on the seventh day God put his feet up). I have heard it said that each day represents a period of time in the earth’s massive history. One day equals so many millions or billions of years. Yet other Christian religions follow the bible word for word. Where does the truth lie?
Does it really matter?
The fact is that a belief in any religion gives us strength, it gives us hope and it gives us a set of rules by which to lead our lives upon. If we gain self confidence and a belief that we can succeed and rise above all uncertainties and yet still remain true to ourselves, religion must be a good thing mustn’t it?
I feel the danger comes from believing that our religion is right and true above all others. Then it can lead to fundamentalism. The belief that everybody should believe exactly what we believe and condemn those that don’t is surely a recipe for trouble.
In the small town where I live I am proud of the Churches Together initiative. Like minded people gather and talk freely together and work for the benefit of the community. Yet we are free to believe the way in which we want to believe. I don’t proclaim to know much about every main religion but if we all have a belief and a set of moral guidelines on which to follow, there is no reason on earth why we all cannot live in peace with each other.
These are some of my beliefs, beliefs that give me the self confidence and the desire to drive forward on a journey through life that provides success and immense satisfaction. I remember my grandmother saying in her last days.
“I’ve lived a great life and I’m ready to go now”
My intention is to be able to say exactly the same. Through my beliefs, self confidence and energy, I know I will.
Terry Norrington
www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index#terryn1
http://www.getselfconfident.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
