The Sanford Berenberg Experience: Message of the Day: Do You Believe what you Believe?

Good Morning,

I took a break from reading 'A Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. I seemed to shy away from the 500 plus page books, so I takes breaks by reading shorter ones. I had received a book from one of the ministries I support and was about to read it when I noticed in the forward that it would be helpful to read the author's first book. So I ordered it and went at it. When 'another book arrived at the house, Karen asked me why I got 'another book. I explained my reasoning and got the 'your being OCD again' look. I have so many books ahead of me to read that it sometimes looks more like an obsession than a learning investment.

Anyway, the book is "My God is True: Lessons Learned Along Cancer's Dark Road" by Paul D. Wolfe. It helped me see the Lord's providence in trying times such as in dealing with cancer. Having lost my grandfather who I was named for, and my step-mother to cancer, it was something that intrigued me.

In the final sections of the book is a few pages on belief. I am not talking about what beliefs we have, rather a deeper question. Do we truly believe what we say we believe.

We want to walk our talk, that is follow through with what we say we believe, but even if we do, are we certain that we truly believe what we say we believe. Or are we just going through the motions?

That is a deep question to ask ourselves. Following up on "Lead...for God's Sake" where we look at why we do what we do. This book challenges us to look ourselves in the mirror and ask if what we say are our door beliefs are, in fact, are our core beliefs, do we really believe them. Or are they just hollow words which we just follow because we have been doing so for time immemorial or because that is what we were told to think, or it's just the flavor of the day.

This goes straight to the core of our beliefs in leadership, management, relationships, all the way to our values and ultimately to what makes us tick as people (not the nervous ticks we have as people).

But looking into ourselves, deep into ourselves I not always a joy ride. It can be a downright frightening thing. What if we find out that we really don't believe what we say we believe. What if we fail in the face of our convictions?

Then we can reassess and start again. It's ok, because we do it throughout our lives as we learn new things, gain new values and leave others behind.

So, lets stop and do the scary thing. Lets look at one of our core beliefs, say one of our values.

For me, I am going to look at my belief that we should invest time and energy into ourselves to learn and grow daily. Do I actually believe this. I talk it, and I share it with others, but is it something that I truly believe in? Or is it something I just spout and try to do because, well, I have been doing it for over five years now.

I know that I like to read a lot. And I like to learn new things. I prefer learning channels on TV over anything else, and get antsy if I don't get to my daily Bible reading and study. Also, I get irritable if I don't get a chance to read 'something on a daily basis.

I love sharing what I have learned. I often talk about what I have read (I know this bothers many, you keep telling me, suddenly get busy, or just turn and run). The way I process information is often by talking through an issue, allowing ideas to form in my mind as the words come out of my mouth. Sometimes what I am saying and what I am thinking are different, but do often merge to cohesive thoughts. I loved the look on the Home Depot clerk who watched me logic my way through my sump pump dilemma. After a minute of talking out and figuring out what I needed I thanked him. He smiled and said he did nothing. Not true, he allowed me to work through my thoughts out loud.

Another aspect of my love for learning is helping others to learn something new also. Sharing information is a pill for me. It invigorates me. Times, when I have not gauge my audience correctly, the sharing of knowledge is lost, and I get derailed and feel foolish. Times when what I share has a profound impact on someone, helping them better face a tough time in their lives or make a difficult decision carry me for weeks if not longer.

After looking into this, I feel that I do believe that learning is important to us on a daily basis.

Maybe, if you are feeling up to it, can can try this exercise and see if what you say is a belief of yours truly is.

Enjoy!

Sanford Berenberg

Sanford@berenberg.net
http://www.berenberg.net

http://sanfordberenberg.blogspot.com/
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