"Real" Belief?

I have often wondered if it is peculiar to the human nature to "believe" what one is told. I also wonder if human beings believe what they are told because they are deeply convinced (i.e. it all makes real sense to them) or rather because they allow themselves to get conditioned, as it appears to be the easiest thing to do.

Should we try to answer such questions or had we better continue believing (or "not" believing) without any further investigation?

How Do You Move?

Sometimes buses are not allowed to circulate in cities' downtown due to road works, so they have to make some detours in order to reach their destination. This is the way some people manage their lives. Could it be that you, too, choose not to follow the logical path (does “logic” exist, anyway?) that goes straight ahead, and decide instead to take two steps forward and one step back, to move sideways, or even to leave the path you are on in order to follow a different one… In the end, you still reach your destination, but with much more effort. Any chance to make it easier? Or would you find it too dull? It seems that you, in fact, often unconsciously prefer challenges, even the needless ones.

Existential Questions

If you feel you have failed (= not achieved what you expected) in your life, ask yourself the following questions:

What have I done wrong? 

Could I have done things differently? 

Did I have too high a goal? 

Did I actually "have" a goal? 

Did I expect too much? 

Did I expect too much "from people"? 

Am I "totally" responsible for the failure I perceive? 

Could some things have been avoided or were they a "must happen"?

A Little Shift

A patient, friendly attitude should be displayed with whomever you are dealing with. This includes the cashier at the supermarket, the janitor in your office, the salesperson whose behavior gets on your nerves. When you are kind and patient, the others notice the  way you treat them and will act accordingly. Sometimes it only takes a little shift in addressing people to upturn relationships for the better. Have you ever paid attention to how different your appearance  is  early in the morning, when you haven’t combed your hair yet and when – later – you have? It's still you, it's still your hair but... what a difference! You almost look another person. The same happens when you smile or say "Thank you" and... when you don't!

Self-portrait

When you don't take care of the way you portray yourself, you are limiting your options for success. Along with your physical appearance, you have to pay attention to your attitude and also  to your body language. Not only the way you dress, but also the way you present yourself and deal with others has an impact upon the opinion people form of you when they deal with you, and makes them decide what to think about you. Therefore, it is advisable to pay attention  to what you wear and what you say as well as to the body expressions (face, hands etc.) that inevitably accompany your words.

Appearance Is Important

What do you think about the way you present yourself to the world? Do you believe that the image you are projecting is the best yourself? Could it be improved? If your answer is "yes", what could be done? Some people have the skill, the ability to instinctively know what suits them and what doesn't.  Some don't. What about your physical appearance? Take a good look at yourself. Go to the mirror and observe. Is your hair in good condition? Decent haircut and grooming? What about your clothes? Are they simple but elegant or are they sloppy? Do they show that you care or do they show that your image is the last thing in your mind? 

Inner Look

Today take an “inner” look of yourself. Examine the way you behave, how you treat others: the way you look at them, the words you speak to them, the expressions you “wear” while dealing with them. Who are “them”? Absolutely everybody, every single person you meet and interact with in the course of your day. Start from your family, and review how  you usually interact with your spouse and with your children. Mentally picture yourself while you address them, while you speak to them and also while you listen (or don’t listen) to them. What about your other relatives? Are you attentive towards your parents, do you ask them if they need anything you might help them with?  
Do you show the people in your life that you "care"?