Alexander,

Everybody holds beliefs. Everybody believes in something, most often many somethings – and some of the beliefs may contradict each other.

A world view of Belief – and another, from the dictionary:

1. The mental act, condition, or habit of placing trust or confidence in another: My belief in you is as strong as ever.
2. Mental acceptance of and conviction in the truth, actuality, or validity of something: His explanation of what happened defies belief.
3. Something believed or accepted as true, especially a particular tenet or a body of tenets accepted by a group of persons.

 Beliefs can be founded in truth (another slippery slope), facts, proof – or – in dreams, wishes, thoughts and – well – other beliefs!

In every interaction you ever have, you will encounter beliefs that are not yours. Some beliefs will be founded on shadows and confidence thoughts. Know what your beliefs are and look to see what others are. If you are lucky in a  relationship (and read the page on relationships), they will share some of your beliefs.

Beliefs are the concrete that our very opinions and essence of our character are built in and backed with. Beliefs need not be based on fact, or truth, or clarity or anything in the real world – although they can be. Beliefs are what a person has decided to latch onto and captures in the bottle of the mind and soul.

What this really means is that belief can be nearly impossible to change or alter in a person. A person will stand on their beliefs, regardless of proof, facts, threats, pain or punishment. If a person is a believer, then little can change that belief - except themselves.

Here is the advice I offer you, because the concrete of belief can last a long time…

  • Form your beliefs carefully
  • Know that you can’t change other peoples beliefs – only they can
  • Choose the people you are with by their beliefs (and other qualities)
  • Believe in things as long as nessesary
  • Be prepared to change your beliefs if nessesary (false belief can lead you over the edge of a cliff or in front of a train).