Author’s note. A lot of the inspiration in these quotes and the analysis from myself will be, at times, cliche. But the lessons that can be learned and the messages that can be sent through passages can be impactful and life changing if taken the right way and in the right context. So, as you read, take into consideration how the quotations apply to your life. How can you use the advice given to better not only your life but others’ lives as well. 

Belief has an incredible impact on how a person can see the world. Children believe that at the North Pole there is a jolly, plump man that spends his time preparing gifts to sit under their trees. For kids, this is reality. This strong belief elevates their belief to reality. The same goes for real world goals. There are two sides of belief — can and can’t. Between the two sides, though, lies a decision, a decision between which side to work towards. If you want to take the lead role in a play, have the instrumental solo, or be team captain, you must first choose to chase that. It’s the CAN mentality. That must be the mindset the entire journey to reach your goal. Every step, every obstacle, must be met with “I can overcome this challenge. I can reach this goal.” The decision is sometimes the hardest part about reaching your goal. The belief must be there in order for you to work towards the goal. If you don’t believe, or you feel you CAN’T, then why would you put as much work in. But with the belief you can, you realize that you will accomplish your goal. You put so many hours into practicing and preparing that it becomes reality that with more practice and consistency, the goal will become attained. Finally you get to a point where you realize that the goal set is a MUST. Priorities become clear. You make sacrifices, pushing away distractions to fill time with practice and preparation for the role, the solo, becoming captain. You dedicate your work to the goal and dominate any challenge that comes your way because that goal is a must. In the end, it boils down to that belief, that decision with yourself that you CAN.