Ask Mark Ward

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Examine your Beliefs.

Many of us have resigned the responsibility for the understanding of truth to others.

We sit in our churches, synagogues, and temples.

We sit in front of our televisions.

We sit listening to our iPODS.

We sit reading Facebook and Twitter.

We sit in the presence of our families.

We resign to the "educated," "experienced," "wise," "indoctrinated" opinions of others--often without question or a single blink of the eye.  We are giving our ability to think away at an unprecedented rate for the sake of time management, convenience, and comfort.  We often confuse the message with the messenger and accept the words of those we admire, idolize or trust as having all the answers, without the due diligence to see if it is so.  The minister, reverend, bishop, cardinal, pope, rabbi, newscaster, political analyst, professor, celebrity, and parent will know the answer because <fill in the blank here>.

There is value in ALL opinions from the outrageous to the sublime. Gaining different perspectives can do nothing to harm your faith or beliefs.  If beliefs are challenged and you have doubts about that which you have accepted as truth, that can only strengthen your faith or open your mind to new perspectives and approaches.

That said, one might take some time to reflect: what do I believe? What evidence suggests that this is true?  What is the origin of my belief? Am I fearful of challenging my beliefs to gain my own personal truth?  What might be the cost of challenging my faith/beliefs? What is the cost of NOT challenging my beliefs/faith?

Success or sabotage?  If you truly want to achieve lasting success, you must live YOUR truth rather than another's. 

Is this going to be an incredible day?  What do you believe is necessary to make it so?