| Most of us live in a cocoon of fear. If it's not one thing | | | | genuinely in virtue i.e. being more thankful, positive, kind |
| we're afraid of it's another. What with financial | | | | etc. |
| stresses, employment uncertainties, relationships at | | | | It's often said that if we don't believe in ourselves, who |
| work, problems with children, their schools etc it's one | | | | will (apart from our parents and a handful of close |
| merry-go-round of anxiety after another. We could be | | | | others)? |
| forgiven for thinking this is the only way. | | | | It's strange how believing in yourself and not |
| Fortunately it isn't the only way. There's an infinitely | | | | condemning yourself can be so powerful. Suddenly, |
| better way and it's all about faith; a faith even more | | | | without the chains and shackles of despair and |
| simplistic than a faith in God perhaps (as so many | | | | rejection holding us down, we're able to soar like |
| baulk at God--though in my experience, the | | | | eagles--and be the way we were always meant to |
| God-concept is pretty simple). | | | | be. |
| This is as simple as making the choice to see the | | | | Give yourself another second chance. Believe in |
| virtue within you and setting out to replicate it and build | | | | yourself: your abilities, your ideas, your resilience to get |
| on it. Virtue contributes to faith and faith brings a zest | | | | through your tough situation right now, and finally, your |
| for living. Part of this is deliberately choosing to see | | | | character. |
| others positive views of you. See their views of you | | | | Life was never meant to beat us down. No matter |
| as positive. It will help your self-esteem. | | | | what is against you, you can prove the greatest |
| And the result, over time, is an increasing and welling | | | | inspiration, even to yourself. |
| up of positive confidence that will set you up for future | | | | Stay positive and build on it. |
| success and so on and so on. It's a self-fulfilling | | | | Copyright © 2009, S. J. Wickham. All Rights |
| prophesy. But, it will only work if you're growing | | | | Reserved. |