Tuesday, April 2, 2013

How to Find Happiness A-Z: B

Do you believe in yourself? 

I'm the ultimate hypocrite here, because this is where I really struggle. Belief is what motivates us. It's what gets us moving. It's what defines our world. So what do you believe in? 

When I was about 13 my oldest brother left on a service mission for our church, but we wrote letters while he was away. One day, frustrated with my younger siblings, I wrote my brother and expressed the difficult time I was having getting along. He shared a fundamental secret I've never forgotten, one that's changed my whole world.

He said if I wanted my siblings to be a certain way, I needed to treat them as if they were already that way. 

Brr?


The truth he taught me is this: You can shape your own world, based on how you act--including yourself. "Fake it til you make it" is a true principle. Believe until you achieve.

Believing in yourself is an important key to success, and thus happiness. Do you believe in yourself? What are you doing that proves this?

And now for some giggles, or um, cheese...

38 comments:

  1. Awesome for positivity!! YAY! We are doing the same theme! We could all use a bit more positive in our lives, right?!!

    Jamie Dement (LadyJai)
    http://writebackwards.we3dements.com

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  2. I'd never thought of it that way before. What a great perspective.

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    1. Ah, when you see the world through a lens of cheese...

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  3. Fake it till you make it. It's amazing how true this is indeed. I've seen it happen in many ways, but the one I remember the most is learning how to smile.
    And I love cheese too! Thanks for your visit to my site. Have a wonderful B day also! :D

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  4. Learning to believe in yourself is one of the hardest things to do, unless you had a good foundation as a kid. Good luck with the challenge.

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    1. Even those with a good foundation as a kid can find themselves floundering. I don't think the need for a foundation ever goes away.

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  5. If you don't believe in yourself, who will? Hard, but necessary and surely important.

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    1. Well, you can hope the tooth fairy will believe in you--but only if you eat lots of cheese to keep those toothies strong. ;)

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  6. There's a really great TED talk on this. It was just fantastic. And it also comes up in the Neil Gaiman address to the class of 2012. It's really good advice.

    Oh, and you can find Neil's speech here and I absolutely recommend it. He's awesome.

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  7. So true. Every now and then, I realize how many times people react in a way I didn't want because of the way I acted.

    Back to belief. I've learnt that depending on others to act as a cheering squad isn't always the wisest thing, so believing in ourselves first is more important.

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    1. It's true. I actually could do without the cheer squad. Give me my blogging buddies, and I'm as happy as a cheese ball. Seriously, what a great community, eh?

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  8. Although I ultimately believe in Jesus Christ, with Him in my life, I can have confidence in myself.

    Happy A to Z!

    MakingtheWriteConnections

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    1. Amen! But for me, I also need a sense of confidence to validate throwing my lovelies before the world. (If you know what I mean?)

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  9. Believing is a powerful thing. Words of wisdom!

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  10. I believe in my left leg, right nipple and six ribs.

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  11. I read a lot of believe posts today and I liked them. But I really took something from yours. Thanks for the tip! (-:

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    1. Aw! Thanks, Fida. I realized how obviously first-year I am while hopping through other posts. Hive-brain much?

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  12. Great words of wisdom :) I'm a big proponent of "fake it till you make it"

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    1. Because it works, right? It's like, "Dude, I can totally rock these three inch stilettos." And then you pin a perma-smile to your face, and because no one realizes you're in agony, you eventually forget too... Okay, maybe not the best example.

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  13. Betty can do all things through Christ who strengthens her!

    It does have a positive affect on a person when they are being edified and lifted up by others to be all that they can be! Encouragement makes a difference!

    Overall I have to say that human beings didn't created their own DNA- so believing in ones self without giving the Creator the glory for what we are endowed with, in order to appreciate our strengths, leaves part of the equation out; a major part!



    Excellent post Crystal! Funny video!



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    1. We aims to cheese. :)

      Thanks for adding your words of wisdom.

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  14. Great post, I never thought about Belief in that way.

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  15. I really needed to be reminded of this. Thank you! Believing really is like a super power, a way to "shape your own destiny," isn't it. I really love that you reminded me of this today. You are the best!

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  16. Believing is hard sometimes. We all need an encouraging word. :) Thanks.

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  17. What a great message. I remember when my kids were approaching the teen years and a friend told me how sullen and withdrawn the kids would become. Well, I didn't want that, so I treated them the same as always, keeping them engaged on all levels, and they never did withdraw. We do rise to a higher level when invited.

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    1. thanks, I needed this too with an early teen of my own right now

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    2. Awesome, Maryann! That's one of the great responsibilities of parents, eh?

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  18. Just what I needed today, thank you!

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  19. Excellent advice. I do try very hard to have self belief, and give myself a quick kick in the butt if I'm doubting. Some days are easier than others though.

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    1. I hear you! Reminders on the mirror or computer monitor help though. :)

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Hit me with your cheese!