Belief is a wonderful thing. Humans can believe nearly anything if they really want to. Often irrespective of facts, but almost equally often by twisting, even mauling, the facts to suit what they want them to prove.
What is fascinating is how society views beliefs: some apparently crazy interpretations of the available facts are, with reason, not accepted by the general populace and those who take those interpretations to their logical conclusions are sneered at. Like in the 1990s when I dared to suggest that the current government's failure to provide clear evidence to the public of the existence in Iraq of the much vaunted weapons of mass destruction, on which they were building a case for war, I clearly recall a colleague telling me that I had to have faith in the Prime Minister who was of course only able to reveal so much of the truth to the public. As it turned out, he revealed far less of the truth than my colleague assumed.
Why do we - or many of us at least - dismiss someone who believes in alien spacecraft and UFOs visiting earth as a looney, yet accept, even defend, those who believe a divine being visited the earth 2000 odd years ago on a mission to save mankind, and to this day has the power to affect what happens to you after you die?
Religious folk will tell you that their prayers are answered, and yes, that makes sense. Not because of some beneficent God (who alternately through history appears to have created miracles for the good of mankind and destroyed his creations through hurricanes, earthquakes and wars) but because of belief.
What the mind truly believes, the body takes on..
So if you go into a job interview truly believing that you will be appointed, that belief translates into confident body language: a firm handshake, a steady, positive voice, upright posture and good eye contact. All of which reassures your interviewer that you are a suitable candidate, and while your presentation of yourself may not guarantee success, it will go a long way towards increasing its likelihood.
Whether your self-belief comes from a conviction that Jesus will grant your prayer, a knowledge that your experience makes you the best candidate, some mental mind-games or pure delusion does not matter - the effect is the same.
What most people do not realise is that we can choose what we believe, and can consciously shape our belief system to suit our purpose. The vast majority of us are at the mercy of beliefs that have been created for us, often without us recognising the process, by external forces. some of these beliefs may be of use (such as the belief that we should be kins to one another) but negative ideas about ourselves can destroy our self esteem and mar our happiness, so why allow them space in our head?
Yes, changing our beliefs about ourselves takes work, but it can be done. You can programme your brain just as you can programme a computer.
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