Do You Really Believe What You Say You Believe
Table of Contents
I just watched the celebration of life for Jamin Pugh or Jay Briscoe of the Briscoe Brothers. The turnout, support and impact Jamin had on this world was amazing. If you don’t know who the Briscoe Brothers are, they were a tag team in the Ring of Honor Professional Wrestling promotion. Jay’s brother Mark Pugh made a statement at the celebration of life that hit me right between the eyes. He said as he was trying to make sense of everything the day Jamin died in a car accident, God asked him, “Do you believe what you say you believe.” It’s a question that slapped me in the face and made me ask myself, do I really believe what I say I believe.
Key Takeaways
Beliefs vs. Actions: The blog emphasizes the importance of aligning your actions with your stated beliefs, especially during challenging times.
Self-Reflection: Regular self-reflection is crucial to ensure that your actions match your beliefs.
Impact of Misalignment: Misalignment between beliefs and actions can erode trust, create guilt, and hinder personal growth.
Political and Religious Beliefs: The blog uses political and religious beliefs as examples to illustrate how people often fail to act according to their stated principles.
Mark's Challenge: Mark Pugh's experience challenges readers to evaluate the strength and authenticity of their beliefs.
Beliefs and Opinion
We all have beliefs, opinions and things we think our morality and spirit are built on and we like to associate with those who share the same values. Religious beliefs, being a good person and doing the right thing are all part of who we think we are. It can be the opposite. Maybe you believe all people are evil and nothing matters. We can say whatever we want about what we believe in this world but nothing reveals the truth like hard times. Beliefs are a part of our lives. They shape our thoughts, decisions and actions and how we interact with the world. But have you ever stopped and asked yourself do you do what you believe? We often operate under the assumption that our beliefs are unshakeable but hard times can reveal otherwise. In other words do your actions line up with what you say you believe? This question can reveal a lot about your character and integrity.
The Gap
We’ve all met people who say one thing but do another. Someone who claims to be environmentally conscious but litters and uses single use plastics. Someone who says honesty is important but lies and cheats, essentially living a lie, shows that they might be wrong about their self-perception. In these cases it’s clear there’s a gap between what they say they believe and how they act and they might be wrong about their self-perception. The size of the gap varies from person to person but we all have a bit of it. This misalignment of beliefs and actions can have several negative effects. One is it can erode trust and credibility with yourself and others. It can also create guilt, shame and cognitive dissonance where your actions conflict with your professed beliefs. And it can stop you from growing and becoming the best version of yourself.
Solutions
So how do you ensure your actions line up with your beliefs? One way is to do regular self reflection and introspection. Take time to examine your beliefs and ask yourself do your actions match them. Through this process you can find personal answers that validate your beliefs and guide your actions. Through self reflection you can identify areas where your actions don’t align with your beliefs and take steps to correct them. Look at where you fall short and find ways to bridge the gap between your beliefs and behaviour. For example if you believe in kindness make a conscious effort to be kinder to others even in small ways. Another way is to ask for feedback from others. Ask people you trust if they see your actions as in line with your beliefs. Be open to constructive criticism and use it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Examples and Explanation
Political beliefs are the most obvious example of this. If you’re a republican or democrat the letter you put beside your name dictates what you stand for. Or does it? If you believe something it should be based on a principle you want to live by and you should be able to explain it. Political beliefs often lead to debate, challenging individuals to defend the principles they claim to uphold. When debating politically it’s important to address specific points made by others to facilitate constructive conversation. Our beliefs should be based on concepts that mean something to us not based on our political or religious affiliation.
Mark’s Challenge and Assumptions
During Jamin’s death Mark’s beliefs were challenged. In times of challenge it’s important to leave room for other perspectives and understand that beliefs can be tested in many ways. Since he believed in God he had to trust that God was in control of all situations not just the good times. He had to test his belief that God was in control in one of the worst situations he could have imagined. There’s no way to hold on to a belief in moments like what Mark was going through unless his beliefs were based on true principles he wanted to live by. You have to hold yourself accountable for your actions and take responsibility for the impact of your behaviour on yourself and others. Be willing to make amends when you fall short of your professed beliefs and strive to do better in the future but don’t accept beliefs based on the world’s definition of what that belief should look like. Base your beliefs on principles you want your life to live by not the letter beside your name on a voting card. If your beliefs are shallow they won’t be there when you need to fall back on them in the hard times.
Final Thought
aligning your beliefs with your actions is key to living a life of purpose and authenticity. It takes self awareness, introspection and taking responsibility for your behaviour. By doing what you say you believe you can build trust and credibility, personal growth and become the best version of yourself. You’ll also lay a foundation for when the storms of life hit. They will hit. It’s just a matter of time.
RIP Jamin Pugh (Jay Briscoe)
FAQ
Q: Why is it important to align actions with beliefs? A: Aligning actions with beliefs builds trust, credibility, and fosters personal growth, ensuring that you live a life of integrity and authenticity.
Q: How can I ensure my actions match my beliefs? A: Regular self-reflection, seeking feedback from trusted individuals, and making conscious efforts to align your behavior with your principles can help.
Q: What are the consequences of misaligned beliefs and actions? A: Misalignment can lead to guilt, shame, cognitive dissonance, and a loss of trust and credibility.
Q: Can political and religious beliefs influence actions? A: Yes, political and religious beliefs can shape actions, but individuals often face challenges in living up to these principles consistently.
Q: How did Mark Pugh's experience influence the message of the blog? A: Mark Pugh's experience during his brother's death illustrates the importance of having deeply rooted beliefs that can withstand life's challenges.