Not talking religion here. Not asking what you believe in. Asking about what you believe. What is it that you actually accept as true? Have you articulated that to yourself? In my opinion a person that can actually conceive of and articulate their beliefs is more opt to defend those beliefs, live those beliefs, and be able to draw from those beliefs as a source of power when dealing with challenges, opposition, and struggle.
The great comes by way of opposition. A core belief of mine. I am deeply suspicious of things that come easy. Perhaps this is a fault, but I do not think so. At my core, I understand that the worthwhile objective is always going to be met with resistance. I am not shocked by that – I am not discouraged by that. When I faced with opposition and resistance – I know that I am on the right track.
Remember the game you would play as a child? You are getting warm, you are getting warmer, you are getting hot, you are burning up! In much the same manner – when the opposition starts to increase, then I know I am getting warmer. I am no longer frustrated by opposition, I am now happy about it. When I am faced with opposition, I know that I am getting closer to my prize.
Yesterday, I saw a posting by someone effectively targeting John D. Rockefeller as the source of all evil. He was a very wealthy person, there is no doubt about that. He also created many organizations, industries, and institutions that still survive due to his meticulous planning. His legacy has survived a long time. He was 97 when he died and has been very influential in using his vast net worth to take on many challenges that he encountered.
You could say that Mr. Rockefeller still is faced with opposition, even though he has been gone for 81 years. Capitalist swine? Demagogue of social Darwinism? Perhaps. However, as I read the replies to this posting – I realized as people were attributing all sorts of social ills to Mr. Rockefeller – very few actually knew what made this highly intelligent, effective, self made multi-billionaire (650 Billion in 1937 dollars) was a person with a very public and real core belief system.
I decided to research this and sure enough, very young in his career he published his core beliefs for all to see. By the way, he had obtained his net worth by the time he was 40 and spent the rest of his life unsuccessfully trying to give it all away. I will end this posting with the core beliefs of Mr. Rockefeller – may they serve as a reminder that perhaps we should build our own in a similar fashion:
I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.
I believe that the law was made for man and not man for the law; that government is the servant of the people and not their master.
I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.
I believe that thrift is essential to well ordered living and that economy is a prime requisite of a sound financial structure, whether in government, business or personal affairs.
I believe that truth and justice are fundamental to an enduring social order.
I believe in the sacredness of a promise, that a man’s word should be as good as his bond; that character — not wealth or power or position — is of supreme worth.
I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind and that only in the purifying fire of sacrifice is the dross of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the human soul set free.
I believe in an all-wise and all-loving God, named by whatever name, and that the individual’s highest fulfillment, greatest happiness, and widest usefulness are to be found in living in harmony with His will.
I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world; that it alone can overcome hate; that right can and will triumph over might.
Guy Reams (132)
365 Member
