The future is as bright as your faith. – Thomas S. Monson
This is literally the same sunset (in Monterey) I was watching when putting together these thoughts.
I think sunsets are absolutely gorgeous.
There’s something about a sunset that sparks my imagination, childlike curiosity and joy for life. There’s something special, almost magnetic, about the sun. Almost like you’re receiving endless possibilities and paths to follow in life.
Naturally, while sitting below a sunset – I felt refreshed and my thoughts flowed.
Our Times of Darkness
Life is a battle of light versus dark. We face trials on a daily (maybe hourly) basis – and work to get past each calamity thrown our way.
Much like the sun dissappearing for a night, we fight that same darkness.
There are times in our life that feel as bright as midday, and others where we’re in the black of night. What’s important is that we hold on. That we fight for what we believe – and make faith our #1 priority.
Faith vanquishes darkness like the piercing ray of a flashlight, sunrise or beam of light.
Why Should We Develop Faith?
Faith: Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.
There’s a great need for more faith in this world. There’s a great need for more faith within each of us. I know, for one, that I need more of it.
- Have faith in yourself. Believe that you have special talents and gifts that are unique to you. Understand that you have the opportunity each day to remove them from hiding and “gift” them to the world.
- Have faith in your blog. I understand that most of you who read here have blogs of your own. In short, without faith, you will not be successful. Believe in your blog enough to to work hard, show dedication and strive to improve each day.
- Have faith in others. Life is going to be a lonely journey without believing in others. Show your faith in others by displaying simple acts of gratitude. Tell another blogger you care about the things they’ve done for you. In your times of difficulty, because of your created relationship, they’ll help carry you through the thick.
Faith is a principle of action.
We watch the sun go down each day, understanding that there’s always the possibility it won’t rise in the morrow, but we hold to our faith. We believe it will rise once more; while warming us with its powerful rays of energy.
“It’s up to you to strut your stuff. As long as you’re bashful about showcasing your innate gifts, it will be difficult to find meaning in your life. Take your talents more seriously. You could easily profit from them, provided you look deep inside to discover how.” - Horoscope.com
Where do you place your faith? Would you be more successful if you increased your faith?
*Work on increasing your dedication to faith this week and track your progress. One area that’s helped me to more faith in myself is journaling. Maybe that could be a possibility for you this week.
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"You’re such a smart boy!" were his first accolades heard. So, it’s no wonder that this phrase became the title of his business, Smart Boy Designs.
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{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
Another beautiful piece, Christian!
Some may dismiss this as empty, feel-good rhetoric but I believe everyone needs to embrace faith and spirituality. You’re absolutely right that people and action are at the heart of faith, whereas religion has mostly been adulterated and made into a popularity contest. It’s about accepting others, even when we don’t agree or understand them. This mentality opens so many doors and gives us the peace of mind necessary to think clearly and produce wonderful ideas. Alas, many let drama, material affinity, and petty matters cloud their minds…
Man, I miss the sunsets on the West coast. Watching the sun in the clear blue skies of San Diego was always inspiring. It was so different.. It was like I was reborn each time…
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 8, 2011 at 10:41 am
Thank you for your thoughts Yomar. And yes, it’s probably going to be viewed as bottomless “faith” rhetoric – but it was helpful to me. It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to.
San Diego sure does have some beautiful sunsets. Gorgeous over there. I never thought about it before, but I guess the East Coast wouldn’t have sunsets in the ocean. That’s sad!
They may not have beautiful sunsets, but the sunrises are a-freakin-mazing! There’s a trade-off no matter which side of the shore you live on —
.
Sherry Zander recently posted..8 Easy Steps to Warm up Cold Calls
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 9, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Of, if you’re like me – you live up near Lake Tahoe – where the trees around your house are over 100 feet tall, so it’s difficult to see a sunset OR sunrise.
Tha-a-a-t would be a hindrance, for sure. Oh, but the view of the trees — I bet that’s a prrretty… :p
Sherry Zander recently posted..8 Easy Steps to Warm up Cold Calls
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 9, 2011 at 5:33 pm
It sure is. I love the trees. When I spend time in the city, I feel a little “naked” because of always being around them my whole life!
I have found that I need to believe that there are other people out there like me who are questioning everything, asking new questions, and changing their lives.
It’s hard to have that kind of faith when everyone I am surrounded by thinks the idea of paying my way through medical school with an online income is a ridiculous idea and a waste of time!
Graham Lutz recently posted..To College or Not To College
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 8, 2011 at 11:03 am
I don’t.
Do they really believe it’s smart and benefcial to leave med school with a mountain of debt?
Do they really believe you’ll be happier doing anything else?
Do they understand the freedom it could give you, to become a better doctor, study harder and manage a tighter class load?
These are just some of the benefits I could see in what you’re doing. I support you.
Graham is smart.
I know most of us did not expect the mounds of debt, scholarships or not. Even “full scholarships” do not cover a majority of the hidden costs of college, especially for “top-tier” schools. I learned THAT lesson the hard way.. Good thing I did ample research about credit and managing debt. I dodged most bullets!
Graham, don’t let the doubters and naysayers get you down. When people violently oppose your beliefs and truths, they are likely insecure, jealous, or just plain ignorant. The more people find your ideas foolish, the more unique and special you are! Would you rather be a leader or a follower?
I say be a leader. After all, if what everyone else was doing worked, wouldn’t more people be happy? That’s my logic there. Misery loves company. Don’t give them the satisfaction. ;o)
Your hard work now, as Christian said, will pay huge dividends soon enough. The freedom you’ll experience will be amazing. A great man once said that true peace and happyness in life means being debt-free, and that’s not just to speak of monetary debts! You’re on the right track and I can see that without really knowing you…
Yomar recently posted..Would You Rather Live In A House Alone On The Hills A Lesson In People Skills
“Faith is a principle of action,” I really like that. I have never thought about it like that either. This post reminds me of that Dark Knight quote, “it is darkest, before we begin to see the light.” Very cool stuff. Thanks Christian!
-Dan
http://www.whoisdanfonseca.com
http://www.twitter.com/whoisdanfonseca
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June 8, 2011 at 10:42 am
You’re welcome Dan. It sure is, much like the Dark Knight. There’s so much to learn from movies, and all forms of literature surrounding us.
Twitter: vitalyvt
June 8, 2011 at 7:56 am
It’s always good to have faith. That’s what makes the world go ’round I’d say. Very inspiring post Christian. I think that if your thoughts are more positive, then your faith level is higher just because your faith naturally springs and as you’ve mentioned faith over shines the darkness in an essence.
Vitaly Tennant recently posted..Prevent Illness With Naturopathy
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June 8, 2011 at 10:43 am
I know in my life, the faith always outshines the darkness. We give darkness too much credit. It can certainly be overpowered if we want it to.
Hey Christian!
Without faith, I couldn’t imagine how my life would be. The tricky thing for some is that faith isn’t something that can be proven scientifically. Christians have faith in Gob because we believe…we have faith. For some, they need a scientific answer – so they may believe in theoretical things like such as Darwinism.
I know this isn’t a post on spiritual belief, but it’s hard for me to hear the word Faith, and not think of where I place the greatest portion of my faith.
And I think faith is one of those things that ca never reach a limit, so we continue to develop it. The more I develop, the more successful I become. It’s a correlation that I learned 3 years ago, at 27 years old. You may friend are way above the curve!
PEACE
Jk Allen recently posted..Bring the Hustle to the Bustle
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June 8, 2011 at 10:45 am
It’s true Jk. I can’t help but to think of where I place my faith either. In Jesus Christ. He is what gives me strength, and he is whom I have a desire to be like; through faith.
It’s amazing to look back and know where my faith has increased. In simple things. In myself. I just am grateful that we’re given this life to work on it – throughout the entire 80 years!
Twitter: StartYourNovel
June 8, 2011 at 11:22 am
I’m with you on this, Christian. Life just fades to gray without faith in yourself.
Off-topic: I noticed that we now have to confirm we’re not filthy spammers before we comment — are there any clean spammers?
Bell recently posted..Three Heads Are No Better than Two
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June 8, 2011 at 11:49 am
So I’m assuming your question is whether you need to check the box each time you comment?
And no, there’s no such thing as a clean spammer in this world.
This is an inspired post Christian–I love it! I just wrote “Faith is a principle of action” on the top of my business whiteboard. I also have a personal whiteboard/bulletin board with some powerful words scattered around to keep me focused. The most important ones to me are hope and faith. It’s so easy to lose faith in yourself when you are criticized. It’s also easy to lose faith in others when they don’t live up to the standards you place on them. I’m definitely happier and more productive when I have faith in myself. Self-doubt can easily defeat innovation. Thanks for sharing this.
Marianne Worley recently posted..The Day My Dad Didn’t Make it Home From Work
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June 9, 2011 at 7:38 am
Thanks for your support – and for tweeting out this post Marianne. Much appreciated.
Love what you say about being more productive and happier when you have faith. How true this is for me in my life as well! When I have faith, everything just runs in such a smoother way. It’s beautiful really; and makes me smile.
We know that faith works!
Christian,
Great post! Without faith nothing is possible. With faith nothing is impossible. When I was broke, hungry, and nearly homeless all I could rely on was my faith. By believing that anything was possible I was excited when the impossible happened. If you work hard to go along with your faith there is absolutely nothing you can’t do. This was an on time read because I needed a little extra light in my life.
How was that vacation? You forgot to send me a plane ticket. I’m sure you will send it next time.
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 9, 2011 at 7:40 am
Appreciate you sharing those thoughts Frank. It’s probably amazing to look back on your life now – and see exactly where faith has carried you. The difference is striking I’m sure.
As for the plane ticket – keep an eye out.
Twitter: adriennesmith40
June 9, 2011 at 8:27 am
Ah Christian, spoken like a true believer.
My faith and gratitude are all combined and I speak my gratitude every single day, more than once. Thanking God for all those things I have and all those yet to come. I am living proof that if you have faith, if you believe and you openly thank God for those things, they will start showing up in your life.
Never waver from those thoughts though because they will zero themselves out if you let doubt creep back in. Keep the faith and you will be amazed at how your life will improve.
Thanks for sharing this with others. Really enjoy these kinds of posts. Just inspired me more.
Adrienne
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June 9, 2011 at 11:52 am
It’s so true Adrienne – how quickly doubt can come into your mind if you let it.
Doubt in regards to God, doubt in regards to self, doubt in regards to accomplish what you KNOW you can.
They surely will – zero themselves out.
Hey Christian,
Thanks for an fantastic article that I really needed. Sometimes it’s hard to keep faith and see the uniqueness in your abilities, but doing so is what will seperate you from everyone else. We must believe in ourselves, because the second you stop believing in your abilities people will be able to see it in your work from miles away.
Faith is what you must have to turn your dreams into reality. Without it you will be crippled and have a hard time getting back up after everyime you hit a wall.
How has your faith help you lately my man?
God bless,
William Veasley
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June 9, 2011 at 12:00 pm
My faith has kept me strong in the face of adversity. I think that’s where I’ve been strengthened and blessed the most.
While I’ve been ill for a very long time, while I’ve been trying to be a better person, when things weren’t going quite right, etc, etc….Faith is literally the only thing that has held me together. And I’m SO grateful for it.
Thank you for sharing that William. Very much appreciated.
Twitter: dlysen
June 9, 2011 at 12:50 pm
First I like the sunset photo, I love the sunset where on my teenage year it reminds me that its time to go home and rest. I have learn to have faith on my blog but not on the first year. Its been 3 years now and sometimes it took times to develop faith. Faith can make you solid.
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June 9, 2011 at 12:54 pm
I love that. Faith can make you solid. It sure can. Without faith, I’d be nowhere fast. Faith is the fast-lane ticket to having a better life, living to your best, and becoming who you were meant to be in this life!
Saw your comment exchange with Rob “Live it LOUD!” and just had to visit your site to see what I was missing … and it looks like plenty. I can fully relate to this post. Faith is what’s kept me afloat during the darkest times and made me soar even higher during the peak times of life. Faith gives life to a vision, air when yours is exhausted and energy when yours is gone. Faith makes you something you should never have become, gives you money you would never have earned without it and friends you would never have found void of faith. I am a true believer in faith and it’s benefits. Why? Because I am living testimony of it!
Sherry Zander recently posted..8 Easy Steps to Warm up Cold Calls
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June 9, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Thank you Sherry, for stopping by. I really appreciate it. And I just adore your thoughts here!
Faith is what makes us special.
You shared a few things that really resonate with me. Faith is what gives me friends when I probably don’t deserve them, those little tender mercies when I need a hand or display of kindness. Faith is that little, special thing that helps you when you’re feeling low.
And how grateful I am for it. It’s precious really. It’s beautiful. It’s what makes my life keep spinning, turning & going forward. I’m grateful for people like you who inspire me to reach a little higher and better – through your use of faith!
It’s fun being here. You’ve got a great site with wonderful content, so I subscribed. I think you’re right — “faith is what what makes us special!”
Sherry Zander recently posted..8 Easy Steps to Warm up Cold Calls
I like the way you weave words into something deeper, more meaningful. Your words kind of transcend words and become something else entirely; it’s kind of inspiring. ;]
I live in the darkness (NOT as in depression or evil…though the latter could be argued by some, I’m sure). I work nights, so seeing sunrise or sunset – or sometimes sun at all – is rare, but I really enjoy when I do.
I never really think in terms of faith. I simply do or do not or never take into account belief, faith, or trust. Maybe next time I’ll stop and think about it on a deeper level.
In a way, I guess we always have at least some faith in ourselves, in our own abilities. But I’ve never really thought about it that way. Hmmmm.
=^-^= That just means you’ve forced me to use my brain and think about some new concepts in a different light. So, thanks. =]
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June 9, 2011 at 5:35 pm
Thank you. Thank you. What kind words JJ. I’m just so happy to hear you enjoy what I’m writing. Makes it all worth it – and I’ll strive to be better each day.
And I’m happy to hear you’re thinking in terms of faith today. That’s fantastic! It’s certainly a great benefit to have in your life, and use it each day; and remember that we’ve all been exposed to it in different degrees. Some are born into a home with great faith, and some aren’t – but we all have the opportunity to develop it.
Awww, you made my day, Christian — I mean it! Actually, you brought a tear to my eye. You, too, have a way with words — takes one to know one. You know, whether we realize it or not we all inherently have faith in some things if not simply for the sake of survival or convenience. Everyone with a car uses a key (or pushes a button) to turn it on — they have faith that the car will start and get them to their destinations. Anyone walking through a door has faith that the door will open. And there are varying kinds of faith and varying levels of faith. I just don’t think we always view those kinds of actions as being motivated by faith. Great post, though, that definitely gave us all a lot of food for thought … a buffet, even!
Sherry Zander recently posted..8 Easy Steps to Warm up Cold Calls
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 10, 2011 at 2:13 am
That’s so touching Sherry. So happy to hear that. Happy to be a “buffet” provider. That’s always a benefit to writing!
I’m so grateful to have found you through the blogging network, and to share with you some of my passions and thoughts. I sure hope this relationship will continue over the years – and certainly know it will.
Oh, but for those who do not like buffets, you are the prime rib –how ’bout that?! I, too, am grateful to have found you, Christian. I think we have many of the same passions. Look forward to seeing more here. Yep, I’m gonna be stickin’ around for quite a while here, so you better get used to it … and thank you for letting me –;-)
Sherry Zander recently posted..8 Easy Steps to Warm up Cold Calls
Hey Christian,
I’ve had much difficulties with some of my blogs. The one thing that keeps me going is the faith that I can make all of them successful. It is a hard road maintaining sites and blogs. Even as the “sun goes down on me” and things don’t go too well, I’ve always hold on to the faith that I will make them work out.
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 13, 2011 at 10:39 am
That’s a good way to look at blogging Angelica. I think when you carry that attitude, you’ll make it. Often the ones who have the most trouble and difficulty in the beginning, no matter what for, often become the strongest.
Hi Christian,
Having faith is what will keep you. I think if you are of little or no faith you are a bag full of negatives. Having faith will help you stay positive.
Faith will always be tested. In life as you say Christian, there will be sunshine and there will be darkness. The test of faith comes when there is darkness.
Terry Conti
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June 28, 2011 at 11:55 pm
It’s amazing to me – how little you are tested in your life during the times of light. It may be a pleasure, or easy or joyful – but you’re not growing as much as you could be.
The growth is dark. It’s unpleasant. And we don’t tend to like it much as humans, do we?
I’ve grown to try and be fond of those dark times, because I always know a brighter light is just around the corner.
Thank you for pointing that out to me Terry.