What Keeps the World Alive

 

"Not truth but faith it is that keeps the world alive." St Vincent Millay

 

 

Faith – belief in, devotion to, or trust in somebody or something, especially without logical proof, evidence or verification.

 

I want to make it clear that I am not talking here about religious or spiritual faith. I'm not really sure where or when the word faith originated, but I'm fairly confident that it has been used by a number of religions over the centuries. I understand that it may be hard to take religion out of the word faith for a few minutes, but that's what I'm asking you to do. To see faith as a mindset or attitude rather than a doctrine or dogma.

 

Do you have faith in – Yourself? Your future? Your ability? Your circumstances? Your talent? Your decision making? Your judgment? Your goals? Your ability to handle challenges or difficult times?

 

Faith is similar to trust as I could very well ask you the same questions above and just substitute the word trust for faith. However trust has some similar and yet different connotations things like – conviction, belief, certainty, confidence, reliance or dependence. Is faith the same as belief? Is trust the same as confidence?

 

We could debate these nuances all day. The bottom line is do you believe that you have control over every aspect of your life or do you sometimes see yourself as a victim in some life areas?

 

I'm also not referring to a – whatever will be will be mentality. We all have choices and we all make decisions. We do both based on any number of circumstances, conditions, mindsets, beliefs and expectations.

 

We can't control everything that comes into our life, but we certainly have control over how we choose to re-act or respond to those events, people or circumstances that cross our path. It is unfortunate that many people fail to realize, believe or act accordingly to this simple yet profound premise. Your life is in your hands. Having faith in life is having faith in yourself. Having faith in your future, that it will be better, is having faith in yourself. Having faith that you can overcome life's challenges and difficult times is having faith in yourself.

 

Lacking faith is to put your life, future and its outcomes and circumstances in the hands of fate or others.

 

I believe that everything that happens in life happens for a reason. We may not be ready to accept or even understand those reasons, but the stuff that comes to us, comes to teach us, help us grow and yes often to test our resolve, patience, commitment and beliefs. Self-reliance is a wonderful trait, but there are times when we need the counsel and listening ear of those we trust whether they are friends, relatives or even total strangers who have crossed our path.

 

 

On a 1-10 scale (1 poor, low or non-existent – 10 perfect, excellent or high) how would you rank your faith in yourself, your ability, your future etc?

 

 

Making Moments Matter, Dennis

 

In His Service,

 

Tim Connor, CSP