Belief in a Simple Smile

You have a purpose and a passion for life but are you seeking and fulfilling them? Previously, I challenged you to take a look at The Depths of a Simple Smile and then to take Intentional Action on a Simple Smile. Today, I challenge you, as well as myself, to believe in all that surrounds that simple smile.

Relation Forming ~ Rome 2016

Do you know what makes you smile but cannot seem to make it a reality? Or do you need to “step back and uncover what makes your heart smile and find those passions in your life?” Though I have travelled a lot this past year, the question of belief comes not from travels as much as relationships and conversations with various connections in this world. A recurring theme in actualizing our passions seems to focus on belief or actual lack of belief impeding us from moving forward.

To believe, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is “to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something.” Efficacy is “the power to produce a desired result or effect.” The belief in one’s smile has the power to enliven our heart and lead to unique adventures in which we simply respond with a smile on our face and often place a smile on another’s. So what keeps you from believing? I see two core things with multiple dimensions keeping us down, the lack of belief in oneself and the struggle to see where our passions fit into society. First, it is necessary to fill ourselves with positive energy and thoughts instead of seeing our dreams as unattainable and ourselves as not deserving of fulfilling our passions. As the old phrase says, “You are what you eat.” Similarly, your beliefs define who you are. Therefore, we need to reverse our negative thoughts into positive thoughts, we need to believe that we can attain, and are deserving of, the opportunity to seek and fulfill our life’s passions.

Supermoon Set ~
Nov. 14, 2016

My life coach, Mike,  recently challenged me to take at minimum 21 days to express my written goals out loud into the universe. The daily emphasis helps place focus on my current goals; therefore, helping me look at my daily activities as stepping stones or challenges to my overall purpose. In speaking them out loud, I am enunciating and creating them into the universe. A universe that in its divine nature prefers order over disorder; hence, the universe seeks to take my simple smile to form harmony by opening the opportunity to truly follow my passion. Lastly, repetition brings about habits so vocalizing and expressing my goals on a daily basis for at least 21 days should lead to a habit of belief and focus on daily living what makes me smile.

Supermoon Rise ~ Nov. 13, 2016

Second, tangled with this lack of belief in self is the belief that we lack the time to pursue our passions and goals. Another negative belief, particularly in the westernized world, is that these dreams conflict with societal expectations and leave us with feelings of guilt or irresponsibility for failing to abide by the societal moral order or economic state. Instead of pursuing what invigorates us, we bend towards the path of least resistance, with minimal challenge, abiding by societal norms, and concrete reasoning (non-divine thought). We struggle to understand and see where our passions and dreams lie within civilization as society presents itself. The answer may be clear. Our dreams do not fit into society as presented, but that does not mean it does not belong in the universe.

Sails on the Nile ~ Nov. 2015

Efosa, a physical therapist, co-founder of Move Together  and founder of Physical Therapy Haven,  recently shared his wish, “for a world where more people threw their sails into the wind and let their heart and soul take them where they are pulled.” As he says, “we all deserve to live adventurously and to love fully.” Yes we do! And to that I would add that we deserve to live this adventure in all aspects of life: vocational, professional, relational, and spiritual.

Open Sails on the Nile ~ Nov. 2015

As I challenge myself, I challenge you to believe that you can attain and deserve to follow the passions of your smile, to reverse the negative thoughts and pursue positivity. A smile is just a smile unless we believe in it, explore its deeper meaning, and take intentional action upon it. Belief leads to throwing your sail into the wind and letting the passions (the sails) of your smile catch the wind to make a difference in this world. What keeps you from actualizing your dream? I believe you can thrive in the pursuit of what makes your heart and soul smile. Do you?