I love lamp...

"To believe in something, and not to live it, is dishonest." Gandhi

I came across this quote the other day and felt challenged to seriously consider what I absolutely believe in and whether or not I am living by these beliefs.  I believe that my beliefs are incomplete and imperfect...and that's okay  :)

I believe in God.  I believe in one God who is the Creator of Heaven and earth, everything included.  I believe in the perfect love of God and that we were created to reflect this perfect love throughout His creation.  I believe that we, as imperfect images of God, lack the ability to adequately reflect this perfect love but that our love for others should come as close to His example as humanly possible.

I believe in love.  I believe that love is a relative term that can be based on a number of thoughts/feelings/beliefs regarding both explainable and unexplainable affinities for a great number of things or persons. I believe that my love may very well not be the same as your love. I believe that the greatest feeling in our lifetime is the feeling of being loved in the way(s) that we want to be loved. I believe that the greatest piece of knowledge is in knowing that we both give and receive love in ways that make positive impressions in the lives of all involved.

I believe in honesty.  I believe in telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I believe in actions and words that will not need to be covered up by lies.

I believe in loyalty.  I believe in making a commitment based on solid facts and benevolence to humanity.  I believe in maintaining my commitments so that no one commitment will have a negative impact upon or take away from the others.  I believe in remaining faithful to my commitment(s) unless it comes to light and can be proven that said commitment(s) is/are not in alignment with my other beliefs.

I believe in passion.  I believe that passion is what drives the human race to continue in perseverance towards excellence.  I believe that without passion we have no reason to continue living.  I believe in finding those things that make me burn with passion and pursuing them to the end.

Know what you believe in.

Wanton House of Hope

False confidence -- the face of bravery and the stride of absolute surety in one's self despite an underlying knowledge of inadequacy.  It's a great defense mechanism used in an attempt to maintain the security of an acceptable value of face and it comes into play when we find ourselves in close propinquity to failure.  Some say "fake it 'till you make it" and in some instances this phrase rings true as it brings about success, even when least expected.  But sometimes, I think it is best to stand down and acknowledge that success is improbable and any attempts to succeed would be temerarious and futile.  Sometimes people lie down on the tracks as the train is rounding the bend; I just don't understand that.

It's one thing to know that loss is probable and to walk away before it happens and quite another to willingly put oneself into a submissive position, accepting that loss is likely to ensue.  It's one thing to see that a positive outcome is unlikely and to cash out while you're ahead and another to place your life savings on the table despite seeing the great potential to lose.

I suppose people act on the fact that there is always the small chance at a positive outcome but it just seems so...so impractical to risk so much for such diminutive odds.  Whatever.  You do your thing and I'll do mine.