There are huge industries and sectors devoted to helping people get the best out of their lives,
whether it’s through aspirational self-help books, gigantic conventions on how to climb the career
ladder or weekend yoga retreats.
Ultimately, however, all of these industries have one fundamental, consistent factor: how you, as
an individual, approach your beliefs and, in turn, how they inform your life.
Reflect on what makes you
It is tempting to think about belief in terms of religious or philosophical understanding of the
world. But personal belief is so much more than a set of texts or teachings. Each religion or
philosophy is interpreted individually.
“Our beliefs are molded by experience, and it can be difficult sometimes to allow our preexisting
beliefs to adapt,” writes Fred Eisenberg, an author at Researchpapersuk and Last Minute Writing.
It’s important, then, to reflect on how our personal beliefs fit with our changing world-view. You
should seek to interrogate your values constantly, discovering your motivations for some of the
ways in which you react when your beliefs are challenged.
Embrace your independence
At times, we allow ourselves to depend on our beliefs to reinforce the idea that the world is either
actively working against us, or we are simply unsuited to the chaotic nature of existence. This
allows us the opportunity to rest on our laurels, become apathetic and, if given enough time, can
have a massively detrimental effect on our mental health.
The only way in which we can combat this is to understand our personal agency. Spend some time
reflecting on your personal achievements, the challenges you’ve overcome and the joys which you
have engaged in. All this despite a seemingly hostile or indifferent world. Independence is crucial
to happiness, and in embracing it we embrace our ability to change our lot in life.
Respect others’ values
As frustrating as it can be at times, interacting with other people means that we have to
compromise a little on values. There’s no escaping the fact that everyone has different beliefs, and
consequently, different values.
Though other people have different values to you, there is no reason why yours necessarily
change in accepting them. Even if you do feel that someone or some people are attempting to
devalue your beliefs, there is no reason to retaliate in the same way. Reconciliation and
recognition are always going to be more harmonious than a pointless conflict.
Look for help when you need it
It’s inevitable that even the most independent of us will, at some point, face a crisis of some sort.
“At times, our beliefs and values take us to some strange and uncomfortable places,” says Nicole
Lowe, a regular contributor to Draftbeyond and Writinity, “We’d like to believe that we can fight
our way out of these situations, but the truth is that sometimes we need to enlist help in order to
do this.”
Thankfully, most who are ready to help only need a signal from us. It is important, then, to
recognize when we are in need of help and feel comfortable in asking for it.
Enjoy the present
Finally, and most importantly, it is important to know when to just stop. We can get so caught up
in regret, worry about the future or fretting over other peoples view of us, that we forget that our
lives are lived moment to moment. We cannot control the past, and we can only influence the
outcomes for the future, and yet we forget that true control only exists in the present.
Therefore, spend time exercising this control in each moment, and enjoy the true business of
living.