The Power of Belief
by Kathleen Gage
Published on this site: July 15th, 2004
Many people have heard that their beliefs can be very powerful
in creating their reality. Sadly, many also choose to ignore the
impact one's beliefs have on various aspects of their life. Years
ago I had the opportunity to meet a woman who reinforced my understanding
of the power of beliefs. This woman is probably one of the most
powerful individuals I will ever encounter.
I met Chris in 1986 while taking the Dale Carnegie course in Santa
Rosa, California. Although not in class the first week of our twelve-
week course, Chris showed up during the second week. Class was well
under way when she walked into the room. Actually, she didn't really
walk into the room; she dragged herself in, supported by a pair
of metal crutches. Chris has Cerebral Palsy, which she had lived
with all her life.
Chris had an extremely difficult time communicating with others.
This was not due to lack of desire, but because for most of her
twenty-one years of life she had been kept in a room with no more
than Elvis records and tapes to entertain her. No one had taken
the time to assist her in developing the ability to communicate.
No one except Bonnie, her current caretaker. Bonnie knew there was
much more to Chris than anyone ever gave her credit for.
When asked by the instructor what her goal for the twelve-week
course was, Chris struggled to respond and became frustrated and
angry in the process. Chris had a very short fuse when it came to
frustration because for most of her life no one would listen to
her. The only way she knew to get someone to listen was through
temper tantrums. With Bonnie's help, Chris was able to convey to
us that her goal was to be able to stand, by herself, in front of
forty-five people and tell us her story.
On the twelfth and final week, to the pleased amazement of everyone
in the class, Chris stood in front of the room. In her own words,
she shared with us what life had been like for her. It was one of
the most enlightening experiences I have ever witnessed. Here was
a woman who had, in many ways, been thrown away. And yet she had
a determination, commitment and belief that she could accomplish
more in her life and she did. She also had the love and support
of forty- five friends, who weeks before had been complete strangers.
What we all witnessed through Chris' courage is that life is created
moment by moment based on our beliefs. She stuck to her belief that
there was more out there for her and took the steps necessary to
improve herself. Her beliefs carried her beyond her limiting situation.
She learned new tools to communicate and used them. As Chris' success
shows, beliefs can empower us beyond our wildest dreams.
Often the people admiring the successes of another are also people
who want guarantees of how something is going to turn out. The fact
is, there aren't always guarantees. The way to make something happen
is to believe it could be possible and take the risk to find out.
If we don't stretch ourselves, we have no idea of what we are capable
of.
What are your beliefs regarding your personal life and business
situation? Do those beliefs hold you and your team back or do they
encourage everyone to keep moving forward? I frequently talk with
business owners who have dreams of what they want to see happen
with their business. More times than not, I see that their beliefs
hold them back. They are comfortable within their current beliefs,
so they are not willing to take the necessary risks that come with
expanding their beliefs and moving forward with their dreams.
Incredibly, as our beliefs change our experiences change. And as
our experiences change, so do our beliefs. I have witnessed and
personally experienced some incredible experiences in business due
to the belief that you don't know what is possible until you try.
What are the beliefs that will carry you to places you have yet
to explore? And what are you willing to do to put those beliefs
to the test?
Kathleen Gage is a business advisor, keynote speaker, and
trainer that helps others gain market dominance and visibility within
their market. Call 801.619.1514 or E-mail [email protected]
. Get Gage's FREE 4 day online marketing course by visiting www.kathleengage.com.
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