“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.
Note: This is a guest post by Naveen Kulkarni who blogs at Planet Naveen on personal development issues.
An airplane is cruising at an altitude of 40000 feet. A minor malfunction in one part of the aircraft can result in the malfunctions in other parts as well, leading to a significant threat to the whole airplane, endangering the lives of hundreds.
Still, the pilots run the flight anyway. It’s routine.
But why do they take the risks? It’s because pilots have faith in technology and the safety mechanisms in place and their own ability to respond to those malfunctions.
A chronic patient who has come to see the doctor can spread his disease to the doctor too. Doctors can be infected by the very people they’re trying to heal.
Still, doctors treat hundreds of patients every day.
Most of the time, they are not at all affected by patient’s maladies. In part, because they have faith in the procedures developed to keep from spreading the disease. They also have faith in the body’s immune system to pick up where antibacterial soaps leave off.
A child learning to walk can dangerously twist her leg if she falls, seriously injuring herself.
But still, she struggles and falls, finally finding her way up and walks.
The child has a simple faith that she must eventually be able to walk. At least her doubts didn’t stop her from trying.
The above examples are not merely examples; they are day-to-day real life stories of people who move ahead, simply, perhaps even routinely, taking risks and continuing to do things the right way until they finally succeed.
There is something the examples above have in common: They do things the right way and have faith in themselves that doing things that way will get them to where they need to go. They have faith, as solid as a rock, as clear as water.
“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” ~ Dale Carnegie
The successful never allow doubt to linger or grow large enough to create an imaginary mountain in front of them. They progress ahead with faith and defeat doubt.
Like faith, doubts are powerful too. In no time, they can transform themselves from just an emotional thought into actual physical weakness and can affect your performance, health and hinder your growth in life.
That’s why I say that doubts have power too. Only faith can make doubts powerless.
Doubt is natural, but the total lack of faith is not.
A lack of faith comes when you have done things the wrong way, over time.
The only way to combat doubt is to gather correct information and apply proper
action and exercise faith in ourselves to achieve.
So don’t let doubt become an obstacle in your journey to achievement or
personal growth, stopping you in the tracks of your personal progress.
If you start doubting everything that comes your way, believe me, you cannot even move an inch forward because doubts will either hold you back or force you to take a reverse turn.
Have faith in yourself instead.
Don’t allow doubts to change the rules of the game. Stay the course as you exercise enough faith to continue taking the steps that lie ahead of you in the life you’re creating.
Please share your thoughts about obstacles of doubt and triumphs of faith in the comments below.
Naveen Kulkarni writes about ideas for changing your life through self improvement and personal development at his blog planetnaveen.com. You can also grab his free personal development eBook Winning Ideas For A Wonderful Life
Photo courtesy of Pixabay
Hi Ken,
Thanks so much for considering and publishing my post on M2H.
Have a great day.
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
Thanks for an awesome and well-received post, Naveen!
Faith is the cornerstone of a life of achievement, no matter the area of life the achievement is being sought. Doubt is the great silencer of dreams and killer of plans and delayer of opportunity.
Thanks for such a wonderfully motivating and inspiring article. It was a perfect fit here at Meant to be Happy. Just loved it!
Good post Naveen. If you’re passionate enough, you’ll find the faith to take the leap and live your dream.
M. Tohami recently posted … The 4-Step Passionate Living Blueprint – Part 4
Naveen,
I love the way you began this post. I woke up today with doubts. This was perfect timing for me. Thank you!
Hi Tess,
I am glad that the post was timely.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting 🙂
Navee Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
Hi Tess! If someone as bold and amazing as the Great Tess Marshall wakes up with doubts, there’s hope for the rest of us! 🙂
Wonderful post! Have enough faith in yourself to just take the next baby step. I used to get very caught up in the “how” but have learned to let go more with faith that the Universe will light the way. It’s usually not the way I envisioned but it’s always the best way.
Paige | simple mindfulness recently posted … How to Deal Effectively With Difficult People (and Some Other Secrets)
Hi Paige,
Having faith in ourselves, motivates us to take the next step. Faith is a powerful force.
I am glad that you enjoyed the post.
Have a great day.
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
Hi Paige! Yep, Naveen did a great job. I have to admit that I still search for a good “how” but am doing much better at allowing my course to change as events change. I’m much more pliable than I used to be when I was younger and “knew it all” 🙂
Well, I hope the Universe keeps shining brightly because I love the path it’s been lighting for you! 🙂
Naveen,
Your title got me right from the start. Isn’t that the truth about mountains, either a challenge or an impediment. Your post reminds me of a Kahlil Gibran quote: “Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother.”
Great post!
Betsy at Zen Mama recently posted … Self Esteem and The Literal Mom
Besty,
First of all, thanks for the inspiring quote. That was powerful in itself.
I am glad that you enjoyed my writing 🙂
Have a great day.
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
Hi Betsy!
Thank you so much for dropping by. I agree, Naveen’s title is powerful. I think you nailed it right on the head. Life is just life. There are mountains and deserts and deep, deep oceans, deserted island, swamps and barren wastelands. How we approach them changes them from barren places to challenges there to teach and inspire us.
Thanks for the awesome insight, Betsy!
Hey Naveen
The title is amazing to begin with.
I love the post so very much. We face challenges everyday and we try our best to get over them. Sometimes we might make it through the challenge, sometimes it might be too big for us. But the day we stop trying is the day we start losing. It takes a lot of courage for a person to build the faith and yes, being a psychologist I have seen people’s faith just dip suddenly and it is hard to bring them back to their confident selves. But there is nor greater power than hope. We have to strongly start believing that failure is not the end and though we many not be in control of the past, we are definitely in control of the future.
Once we start believing in ourselves, and keep moving despite of failures encountered; there shall be nothing daunting 🙂
Thanks for the inspiring post Naveen! It was lovely reading your work! Hope you have a lovely week ahead… you too Ken!
Hajra recently posted … Will they call you over for a bloggers party?
Hajra,
I couldn’t agree more with what you mentioned about being able to control the future.
Faith, will enable us to see the future with positive outlook and keep the momentum going. Once you have begin the journey with your best foot forward, rest of the things will fall in place perfectly.
Thanks so much for taking time to discuss the topic.
Have a great week ahead 🙂
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
Hi Hajra! Oh! I just remembered, just as I was about to write this, that I still need to go look at Steve’s site to read your super long reply to my guest post there. Okay, I’ll do it no later than tomorrow. I know, but I’m not procrastinating as much as recognizing how tired I am today.
Thanks for you comments here, Hajra. I particularly loved this powerful statement: “the day we stop trying is the day we start losing.” Truer words haven’t been spoken! You’re a wise person. Those you work with are lucky to have you!
Great intro Naveen, thankyou…..the heading says it all, really. I choose to get on with things and deal with the doubt at the same time, generally I just push it aside.
be good to yourself
David
David Stevens recently posted … How to get the best value out of your Mid Life & make it work for you
David,
I am glad that, you enjoyed the post.
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting 🙂
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
I like your style, David. Direct and powerful! I’m the same way. I had lots of doubts starting this blog, for example. I’m no techie by any stretch of the imagination. Didn’t have a clear focus at first either. And just didn’t know much about what I was jumping into. But I jumped anyway! Great insight, David. Thank you for sharing it!
Inaction breeds doubt and fear. In my years of working with both people and dogs who are dealing with fear, aggression, separation anxiety, or just not getting out of life what they want, I believe this statement is in heavy practice.
With dogs and with people, action creates a sense of calm. The move forward on whatever project, behavior or intention begins to flow. Action creates confidence and inspiration.
Aloha wags!
Jt Clough | Big Island Dog recently posted … Walking on Clouds a Mauna Kea Perspective
Jt,
Faith indeed fuels action. And action leads to results and accomplishments. It doesn’t matter if we fail during the course of journey, having faith in ourselves and our intentions makes us real strong to bounce back when we are faced with failures.
Thanks for the comments. Have a great day 🙂
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
Hello JT!
Like Carnegie said, “inaction breeds fear and doubt.” But fear and doubt also breeds inaction. And thus a vicious spiral cycle can be created.
Great points about taking action, even if but one step at a time! Love this: “Action creates confidence and inspiration.” Very pithy! 🙂
JoeJoWonderful examples of the necessity and impact faith has on our behavior. Faith is an inherent part of growing and expanding. We must be willing to take risks if we are to see miracles take place.
Joe,
Very well said about taking risks.
I recall a quote which read ” The biggest risk in your life is not risking anything”.
I firmly believe that having faith is the core ingredient for the recipe of success.
Thanks for reading the post and commenting 🙂
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
Hi Joe, always good to see you here! Wow! Everyone’s been filled with such eloquent pithiness! I love this line of yours: “We must be willing to take risks if we are to see miracles take place.” I like that, Joe. Thanks for sharing your wisdom here, my friend.
Excellent post.. Very inspirational and motivating.. Need more post like these..
Hi Adeeb,
I am glad that I was able to inspire you with this post. Thanks so much for reading my post and commenting 🙂
Navee Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
Great to meet you, Adeeb! Welcome to M2bH! I agree with you, Naveen wrote a very inspirational and motivating piece.
Hi Naveen,
Nice & simple post. The topic has been very well put forth.
Cheers!!
Vivek
Hi Vivek,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I am happy that you liked the article.
Take care and have a great week ahead 🙂
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
Thanks for coming by, Vivek! Welcome to M2bH! Great to meet you!
Hi Naveen and Ken,
Excellent post on faith. Exactly, without faith, we would go no where. All of the people who achieved great success at something, they had faith. Doubt on the other hand makes us stress and worry. Once we learn to let go of doubt and expect to get the best, faith increases in us and then we can start fulfilling our dreams and goals. Thanks for sharing
Dia recently posted … Spiritual law: As within so without
Dia,
Thanks for your wonderful insights into the topic.
Having faith in ourselves doubles our mental strength and mental strength often translates into physical action.
So, faith is the agent which initiates a worthy action from our end.
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
Hi Dia!
Doubt puts a shake in out step, hesitancy in our stride, and fear in the direction we’ve chosen. Faith, when correctly anchored and directed, becomes the solid foundation that sturdies our step.
Thanks for sharing your insight into this topic, Dia. Yours are always welcomed words here!
Our lives bear out the truth of your post. Think of all the miracles that occur every day. Our hearts continue to beat. All the car accidents that could have killed us didn’t happen. I did not contract all the diseases I was exposed to. A meteor did not hit my house. The train I rode home did not run off the rails. I did not start a fire when I cooked dinner (a real miracle!). The dog that ran up to me did not bite me. Lightning did not strike. An evil person did not break into my home and kill me. And more. If we just look around, we can see that our faith is warranted. Yes, bad things happen. But mostly they don’t. If we succumb to all the “what if” doubts that we can conjure up, our lives will be paralyzed with dread. Faith is what allows us to live in trust and joy. Great post.
Galen Pearl recently posted … The Burning Tree?
Thanks for sharing such a true words of wisdom Galen,
It’s so true that we live because of unnoticed miracles that take place everyday allows us to live.
Faith is the reason for those miracles to take place and imagine the power of faith when we are going to extra mile during our path of self improvement and achievement.
.
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
I LOVE the way you look at the world, Galen! You see so much as miraculous and indeed it is! Bad happens even to good people. But like you said, it usually doesn’t. Such a wise way you have to view life. What’s sad is that there are people who cloister themselves in their rooms (figurative or literal, doesn’t matter; the end is the same) and never venture out into the world to discover all its possibilities and opportunities and beauty. Thanks for sharing this insight with us, Galen. Yours was an eloquently written comment of awesomeness! 🙂
I know so many people who are restricted by doubts. Like you said, they can’t even move forward or they turn back.
I have to admit that I just had a huge doubt that I overcome – because of faith. I was scared to send out an eBook that I had sitting on my desktop for like two months! I doubted whether or not people would like it or whether it was good enough – the list goes on and on…and eventually my faith that it would do some good in the world outdid my doubt. But man it took a long time. I’ll never let doubt affect me so much again.
Kari recently posted … Positive Manifestation: Manifesting What You REALLY Want
That’s awesome, Kari! I’m so glad you gathered the courage to send your eBook out into the world! Congratulations! And you know what? No matter how it does, it will be a valuable set of lessons learned int he process of writing eBooks that couldn’t have been learned without publishing.
That’s a great example of pushing past a limiting belief and having the faith necessary to take the risks needed to succeed.
Thanks for that comment, Kari!
Good luck with the success of your book! 🙂
Kari,
Congratulations on releasing your eBook. I am glad that you have already experienced the tremendous benefits of having faith. Experiences are the biggest teachers, aren’t they?
Thanks so much for reading my work and sharing your views.
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
Hi Naveen and Ken,
What a lovely post guys!
It got me thinking and my personal development journey to overcome problems that had been caused by stuttering when I was younger. The reason why I continued pushing myself into situations where I had to talk was faith that life just had to be better if I did. And it was.
Hiten recently posted … If you know ‘why’ then will you focus on ‘how’?
Hiten,
I am glad that you liked the post.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Your blog too is quite impressive.
Have a great week ahead 🙂
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
Hi Navin,
I’m really glad you liked the blog! I appreciate the feedback. 🙂
Take care,
Hiten
Hiten recently posted … If you know ‘why’ then will you focus on ‘how’?
That is just plain awesome, Hiten! I love that you had a difficulty and instead of defining yourself by it, you forced yourself into situations where you were challenged to overcome it. How long did it take you to climb that mountain?
It took me about 3 years my friend. I’m still climbing it. -:) Thanks for asking the question Ken.
Hiten recently posted … If you know ‘why’ then will you focus on ‘how’?
We’re all climbing all kinds of mountains, right? Keep on climbing, my friend!
Ah, ’tis a fine balance between careful consideration and constant consideration that leads to doubt, but your title alone said it all for me.
Pea recently posted … Writer’s Haven
Pea,
Thanks for the comment and I am glad you liked the title and I presume you liked the post as well :-).
Have a great day 🙂
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
Very informative and inspiring text, thanks for sharing it! I really like your point of doubt/fear and faith. This ambivalence moves the whole world, I think. We have to step out from our comfort zone to get active and do some creative thing. And that’s the way we have to fight our fears as well.
Catwoman recently posted … esztétikai fogászat
Hi Catwoman (That’s interesting name though),
You are right about the fear. Doubt and fear are twins. Only, faith can makes them powerless.
Thanks for sharing your valuable opinions on M2H.
Have a great weekend ahead 🙂
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
I already commented so I’m double dipping here! But I thought you would like this quote I saw this morning. “Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.” –Rabindranath Tagore
Galen Pearl recently posted … The Kindness of Strangers
Galen,
That was such an awesome and inspiring quote.
Thanks so much for sharing with us 🙂
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
Thanks for this gem, Naveen & Ken. So true. Faith is always deep inside of us, like a fertile seed waiting to be nourished. We must take action, learn from your miss-takes, and re-take the action to nourish the seed of faith. If we act, and quit with our first mistake, the seed of faith lies dormant.
If you have a choice of believing in yourself or having faith in yourself, take the action necessary to choose the latter. With faith, there is no doubt, and the mind is at ease.
rob white recently posted … What Qualifies Me to Open a Learning Center?
Hi Rob,
Thanks so much for your kind words.
I loved your analogy of seed and your words holds so much of wisdom within.
Have a great day and take care 🙂
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
Nicely said, Rob. Belief is a passive thing. I can believe and stand still, take no steps toward the thing I believe in. But faith is active, it’s the coupling of belief and action, it’s the reflection of belief in the steps taken toward the thing in which faith is exercised. So between belief and faith, you’re dead on, choose faith every time! 🙂
Hi Naveen & Ken,
The opening quote from Martin Luther King is one of my favorites! I also love the illustration about the child learning to walk. I remember listening to a talk by Tony Robbins. He gives a similar example and says, “If you’re helping your child learn to walk, how many times should you let him fall before you give up with him?” The audience laughs and he says, “That’s right. You don’t give up. He eventually learns to walk.” So true to life!
Bryan Thompson recently posted … Sometimes You Have to Go Back to the Basics of Training
Bryan,
I am glad that you liked the article.
You see, we all go through various phases in life. There are ups, downs, surprises, tears and what not.
Many people lose their courage and press the panic button when they are presented with a new challenge or opportunity. What they fail to understand is, success is just few miles away if they dare and conquer the fear and a thousand miles away if the succumb to fear.
Faith is not just convincing ourselves that we can take on this new challenge, but it is organizing our abilities, focusing on our strengths , doing what is right and just keep going.
Faith is a collective feeling of solid mental strength, well planned action and a clear heart.
When, there is faith, there is no doubt.
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting 🙂
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
Thanks Bryan! What a great way to look at life’s challenges. We are indeed infants and toddlers in so many ways, wobbling through life. But we expect right-now results, immediate gratification. We want the finish line ever closer to the starting line. And when our goals and dreams don’t come so quickly, it’s so easy to throw our hands in the air and give up. But just like some babies take their first steps at 9 months (ours did!), others don’t until months later. So with us. With that image in mind of parents never giving up on their child until he’s walking, maybe we can endure the impatience we often feel at not arriving on our hoped-for timeline and keep taking the next step and getting back up no matter how many times we plop on our proverbial rear ends!
Naveen, thanks for this post. My alarm went off this morning and woke me from a dead sleep. The last thing I remember from the dream was a co-worker saying to me, “You live in a fantasy world, my friend.” He was referring to a comment I made to him about happiness as a choice.” My remark back to him was, “Don’t we all? At least mine is filled with faith.” I awoke went to my emails, saw you are following me on twitter now and clicked over to this post (ON FAITH and Happiness). This made my day…and it just began. I’m still in my pj’s. LOL Isn’t life great! Thanks again, I’ll remember this post for a long time.
Stephen recently posted … A Response to Your Emails
Hi Stephen,
I am happy that, I was able to inspire you.
Thanks so much for reading my work and commenting.
Have a great day ahead 🙂
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
that’s a great way of putting it. we sometimes dismiss these facts to say “well, they were trained to do so” and forget that confidence and trust in ourselves play a large part.
it’s easy so to speak to find a passion and wnat to do what we wnat, the hard part, is having faith that we are on the right track even when the whole world doubts us
Noch Noch
Noch Noch | be me. be natural. recently posted … today I laughed: how is business done in China?
Noch Noch,
I totally agree with you what you said about the training.
Training gives the required skills and knowledge. However,courage has to come from within. Once we have faith in ourselves, we have already covered half the journey of achievement.
Thanks for your insightful comments.
And I read your latest post on your blog. That was enjoyable 🙂
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … First Impression Is The Last Impression – Why This Is a Plain Myth
[…] put hopes on luck, instead have faith in your efforts. Luck is nothing but known outcome for your hard […]
Hi Naveen,
Thank you for this inspiring article.
The courage to begin separates dreamers from achievers. The difficulty and the difficulty of everyone who ever desires to achieve anything worthwhile comes in the movement. Most people fail because they never get started. They don’t go they don’t overcome inertia, they simply don’t begin.
Have a great day,
Daniel
Daniel – Manifesting Reality recently posted … Inspirational Stories: Craig Koonce And Cerebral Disorders
Hi Daniel,
I absolutely agree to what you said.
Getting started is easy as well as difficult (depending on the procrastination quotient of the individual). Once people get started, the road ahead becomes more clearer.
When people don’t begin, all they see is darkness.
Having faith in ourselves generates that momentum for getting started.
Thanks so much for your insightful comments Daniel.
Take care
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … 20 Tips To Reverse Your Trend Of Failure And Succeed Finally
Totally faith can move you and your perspective. No doubt why the Israelites during the bible times had successfully done it’s task and didn’t move by the Egyptian even if they became captives but then they still manage and keep their faith. Faith can really help us up whenever we feel blue and down.
Yena recently posted … stress hair loss
Yena,
Thanks for joining the conversation and commenting.
Have a great day ahead 🙂
Naveen Kulkarni recently posted … 20 Tips To Reverse Your Trend Of Failure And Succeed Finally
[…] Faith Moves Mountains – Doubts Create Them […]
Faith is the cornerstone of success, joy and peace! It is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. With faith, action and perseverance you can accomplish anything.
Kent recently posted … Be Extraordinary, Live with Abandon