This post was sponsored by author T. A. Barron and was inspired by his upcoming gift book “The Wisdom of Merlin: 7 Magical Words for a Meaningful Life.” This book is the wizard Merlin’s answer to the question “What is the meaning of life?” Surprisingly, the answer has only seven words — including belief. But they are the most powerful words of all. The Wisdom of Merlin is available for preorder now, and will be available wherever books are sold on March 23, 2015. All thoughts are my own.
Belief (noun):
1) an acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists.
2) trust, faith, or confidence in someone or something.
When I was first given the challenge to write a post centered around a single word – BELIEF – my mind automatically turned to my religious beliefs. But as I pondered what I wanted to say, especially with the hope that my words might resonate with my readers, I realized that this simple 6-letter word – BELIEF – held so much more meaning for me.
What do I believe?
Who do I believe?
Why do I believe?
Why do my beliefs matter?
When I asked myself that last question – why do my beliefs matter? – a lightbulb went off in my head. Whether I believe in God, a certain philosophy, someone else’s opinion, my family, myself….the people and things in which I place my beliefs (ie, my trust, faith, and confidence) are going to be the things that drive me. They are going to be the source of my strength as well as the source of my peace (or the lack of both).
Believing in Myself
This year, as I started my first-ever weight loss journey, I came to the overwhelming realization that I had never believed that I could have the self-control it would take to lose weight. I had honestly convinced myself over the last few years that I was consigned to be heavier for the rest of my life because I had had so many kids, my body was older, and so many other excuses. The fact was that I loved food (I still do, for the record) and I got a lot of satisfaction out of eating food. If I was stressed, I’d eat. If I was happy, I’d eat. If I was bored, I’d eat. I didn’t want to take away my “happy place.”
But when I realized that I wasn’t, in fact, HAPPY, a switch flipped and I decided that I could make changes. I decided that the work and the effort were worth it. I decided to start believing in myself.
Once I started to believe in myself, I immediately had the power, the drive, the strength to make changes.
And guess what? It’s working.
BELIEF, whether it’s a belief in yourself, a belief in God, a belief in family, a belief in something you’ve heard or read, is the driving force behind success. Believe you can do something and you CAN. Believe you can’t do something, and you won’t. Believing in myself gives me strength and drive to meet my goals and to be a better me.
What do YOU believe?
How do your beliefs drive you to do better? To be better?
How has your belief influenced who you are today?
Check out the trailer for The Wisdom of Merlin, and see what other words join BELIEF to answer the question “What’s the meaning of life?” Which of Merlin’s 7 magical words have the most meaning for you?
About Author T. A. Barron:
T. A. Barron is the author of The Merlin Saga, The Atlantis Saga and so much more. His new book, “The Wisdom of Merlin: 7 Magical Words for a Meaningful Life,” features 8 key principles for leading a meaningful life and is appropriate for all ages.
Many thanks to T. A. Barron for giving me the take a look inside and ponder the meaning of life and the importance of belief – no matter what those beliefs may be. I know I’ll be eagerly awaiting The Wisdom of Merlin when it comes out in March. I invite you to go check it out, too!
Note: all images used in this post, except for the book cover, are my original photos. Please feel free to pin and share the quotes but do not modify the images in any way. Thank you!
© 2015, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
Belief is a lifeline for me. Without it I flail. I stumble. I falter. I fall. I fail.
I so TOTALLY needed to hear this today. Believe in myself, gah. I’m so good at being others cheerleaders, why do I suck at being my own? Thank you for this. Truly.