I think everyone should have an "I believe" statement. It's a place to collect your values, your priorities and your goals.  Every cause produces and effect, every effect is looking for its cause. Be more of a cause in your life than an effect. I have found that most people are happy just being an effect so long as the effect is manageable and not too painful. The advantage to this position is that your don't have to take responsibility for it all, life just sort of happens to you. It's like the elections, love them or hate them, people would prefer not to vote so they can complain about who's in office and what a terrible job their doing. By voting you become part of the cause and have some, although slight, responsibility.  In order to do this right let me suggest 3 key steps that are essential to determining your core beliefs. There may be more you will find helpful, but you won't get far without passing through these stations. (1) Faith - you must at some level believe there is a God and that God has a plan for you life. Without this basic, fundamental belief everything, including your belief system, is meaningless and without value. For people who don't take the time to think through their values, goals and beliefs, there is perhaps at their core a dis-belief that God cares and wants something more for their lives. Think about is - why spend the time and effort to create core beliefs if you believe there's nothing to believe in! (see Jeremiah 29:11 for inspiration) (2) Solitude - noise, busyness and distractions are the greatest temptations of our generation. People have stopped being deep thinkers and we've almost given up completely on contemplation. We run, we consume and we plan until we're empty, burned out and divorced from life, joy and people. Unless you're willing to spend some time in silence listening to your own heart, asking yourself painful questions, and growing comfortable with the answers, you'll never want to go much deeper. “In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness.” ~Mahatma Gandhi (3) Hope - hope is the strength to pursue some noble goal at which others only scoff.  Hope is a God-given virtues that is like the fire that warms the heart to endless possibilities, it is passion that sees beyond the morning fog, and resolve to make it happen. Without hope, you probably wouldn't have gotten this far. (see Philippians 4:13 for inspiration) Beliefs are refined over time but their roots run deep into your heart. All you're really doing is asking why does my heart leap at the idea of something and collapse at the prospect of others. When you know what you believe, you can then begin to align your life according to how God has wired you. Avoid energy and joy-stealing activities and engage in projects that make you stretch and grow. Please share some of your core beliefs and in the future I'll post on Values, and Goals!
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