“Every Belief that we house within us Is A Decision For the long term.”

One fine day, when I was with a group of my friends, out of nowhere, the topic of belief came up. My friends were sharing their experiences and their learnings. I was just listening. They asked me to share, and I said I don’t know what it is.

That night, the question “what is belief?” caught up with me, and I started to contemplate this question. I started to observe myself very closely to understand more. Over time, through reflection and observation, a subtle realisation began to surface. Every belief we house within us is not just a thought; it is a decision for the long term.

Armed with this wonderful insight, I started to notice how some beliefs quietly or subtly had an influence on my choices, my responses, and even my expectations from life. They seemed to be shaping what I pursued, what I avoided, and what I had accepted as the norm. I also saw that the mind adopts a belief in a moment, but its impact unfolds over the years.

The other interesting discovery was that beliefs don’t remain neutral; they either expand possibilities or limit them, even if we are not consciously aware of it. This realisation brought in a new sense of responsibility towards myself.

I knew that my beliefs were long-term, and my becoming more aware of them would be my first act. I did not judge my beliefs, just questioned their existence and relevance in the context of my current state of life. I realised that growth does not always begin with changing our actions; it begins by quietly examining the beliefs we have already decided to live by.

Chetlur S Prasad

PS: Friends, please do share your comments about this blog, and let us all learn from one another.