Do You Believe or Do You Know

By Steve Maraboli

Imagine you were going skydiving for the first time. Your heart would be racing as the instructor gives you final instructions before you jump from the plane.

You ask an important question, " Are you sure this parachute will work?"

Now, which answer would you prefer your instructor to give:
"I believe it will work." or "I know it will work."

The word belief implies question. By definition there is a degree of uncertainty. Think about it, if you believe with certainty, then you wouldn't say, "I believe", you would say, "I KNOW".

To know is to be certain. There is no question in knowing. There can be no doubt found when you KNOW something. Take time to analyze your internal dialog and perspectives. Do the words you use imply empowerment or disempowerment? I'm reminded of a story I once heard about a community.

This was a test between believing and knowing.

The story goes like this...

Several years ago, a small farming community was experiencing a terrible drought. The leaders of the community called a prayer meeting in hope of everyone attending and holding a group prayer for rain.

One man was in attendance with his small son. As everyone was praying, the small boy reached up and tugged his father's shirt to ask, "Daddy, what is everyone doing?" The man explained that everyone was praying for rain and then went back to his prayer.

The boy looked around for a few more minutes and was puzzled. He tugged again on his dad's shirt and asked, "Daddy, if everyone is here to pray for rain, why didn't anyone bring an umbrella?"

Think about it...

Do you believe you can reach your goals or do you KNOW you can?