Our beliefs

From page 436 of “Attitudes of Traditional and Nontraditional Parents” by Victoria E. Brescoll and Eric Luis Uhlmann:

Beliefs: The mental action, condition, or habit of trusting to or having confidence in a person or thing; trust, dependence, reliance, confidence, faith. Usually with in

The word beliefs can have many connotations and suggestions. When first looking at the word, you could think of believing in something or having a set of beliefs for yourself to live by. Beliefs can be used in a religious context; for example, believing in whichever God you do, attending church and living through believing in a religious figure. Why do people believe in these things? Why are there beliefs surrounding these concepts and how did they come about? People have their own beliefs in their religion as something to hold on to, something to have faith in when things are becoming difficult. Also, when things seem to be going good, they pay respect to what they believe caused their good fortune and happiness.

Not only does the word beliefs suggest just religious connotations, but personal beliefs as well. Beliefs can be the moral code someone follows, or a subconscious way of making decisions. A person has beliefs in what they want to do in life, setting goals and trying to accomplish them. Beliefs can be whether or not a person should do something and how what he or she can do. Likewise, another look at beliefs is what people feel they have the right to do. Beliefs can include what people believe is okay to do with their bodies, what to do with their children, their job, their home and overall what people want to do with their lives. Beliefs can lead a person to do whatever they want to do, almost like a moral code to live by.  

In our society today, the beliefs of many people are changing and being influenced by social media and changing technologies and pressures. It was easier to believe in things and not feel pressured about them before social media and advancing technology came along. While someone may have one set of beliefs, it can be different from others and with more access to outside influences with the Internet and advancing technologies; their opinions can be swayed more easily. It is easier to change your beliefs when everyone on your Facebook is doing one thing and you want to adhere to what they are doing, even if it is against your beliefs.

Hearing the word beliefs makes you question what do you believe in and why do you believe in it? What can others do to change your beliefs? How can you change your life with what you believe in?