We have been changing our beliefs
since the beginning of human civilization. Long back, people believed earth as
the center of the universe. They believed that the universe was static, an idea
that the universe neither expands nor contracts. Cholera was believed to be caused by air pollution.
California was identified as an island and what not. However, these beliefs are now repudiated, for
we now have different beliefs which we believe to be true. These changes in
beliefs have been acquired through long chronological researches, scientific
toil, effort and energy. However, there is no certainty that the beliefs which
we believe to be true will not be denied in future as we move with better
research and effort.
We form beliefs not only through
pure sense gained by experience and knowledge, but also through sensibility- emotional
attachment to something. Even though some beliefs may not sound logical, they
manage to penetrate deep down our reasoning system from strong influence from
someone or repetition of same belief among our influence circle. For instance,
I momentarily liked Manchester Football Club because of repetition of belief
among majority of people in my circle despite the fact that I did not have any
affinity towards this club. Belief as this eventually changed because this was
never my belief.
My other
beliefs are no exception. They are transient just like every single belief in
the world. I had a dream of playing professional football in my early teen age.
I practiced hard to make my dream come true. I truly loved football at those
times, but this belief persisted only till the June of 2011. Playing in hot and
humid conditions, I was running for the ball, which was on the left wing of the
opposition half. I increased my speed to take hold of the ball before anyone
could reach it .The moment I held on the ball, I was fiercely tackled by the
opponent who, along with me, was vying for the ball. I lost balance, fell in
the ground and cried out loud in agony. I had fractured my leg there and then. That
was the moment which changed my belief about football. After the incident, I
distanced myself from football and never held the belief I used to hold about
football.
Similarly, I hated math until I started to
excel in it. If it were not for exams, I loved reading. I loved our National Football
team when it won a game, and hated it when it lost a game. I judged and
criticized people before I knew their circumstances, which made them the way they
were. We are always adding something new to what we already had, which leads to
refinement of our beliefs. Therefore, I
believe in the fact that our beliefs are subject to change.
