William James said “We achieve only when we believe in our Thoughts, Abilities and Actions. Beliefs are the key to unlock our Lives”.
I say “Negative Beliefs are the key to lock our lives forever!”
Good Evening Madam Toast Master, Fellow Toastmasters and Distinguished Guests;
It was 1980- The year when I was studying 3rd Standard. My School was in a small locality called Ammapet in Salem District of Tamil Nadu.
Being the eldest son, my parents wanted me to DO WELL in my Studies. To fulfill my parent’s dreams, I studied hard and secured I Rank in 2nd Standard. To my surprise, my father presented me my favourite sweet – Burfy.
When the School Vacation got over after Two Months in June 1980, I was very eager to go to School and study hard to get I Rank and my dream was to get a Box full of Burfies.
On the third day of the school reopening, the Maths Teacher came and took our Class. I was feeling very sad. I saw a New Maths Teacher in the place of my favourite teacher - Sharada Madam. At the end of the year, when the results came, my Rank was reduced to 10th, due to a low score in Mathematics.
It was a hot day in June 1990. I joined SJRC College
Slowly, new students entered the class room. A short, thin, dark skinned person sat beside me. I introduced myself and asked his name. He did not open up. With lot of hesitation he mentioned his name as Raju.
He was very shy and reserved. He would rarely speak and avoided people and crowded places. His attitude remained the same, throughout those 3 years.
Mamatha and Sunitha were best friends. They knew each other for more than ten years as they were colleagues. Another colleague - Nalini got married and after marriage she stayed in the same locality as Sunitha.
Being from the same locality, Nalini and Sunitha came to office in the same cab. After three months, Mamatha stopped talking Sunitha due to some issues with Nalini. Their friendship of Ten years broke!
Dear Toastmasters, such instances happen in our Day today Lives. Why is it so important?
Because it creates a BELIEF SYSTEM in us about our Attitude, Skills and Relationships. It might happen directly or indirectly.
In my case, my affection towards my Teacher made me like Mathematics. When another teacher came, in her place, it influenced me negatively and my liking towards Maths also got hampered.
In the case of Raju, it so happened that one day his uncle came home and spoke to him. Raju did not open up. His uncle said “Raju why are you so Shy and Reserved ? Subsequently, in his School, Teacher asked Raju to answer a question. He did not open up. Teacher said ‘Raju why are so shy and reserved?
These instances indirectly created a BELIEF in Raju that ‘He is Shy and Reserved’ so much so that he is still unable to overcome his reserved nature.
In the friendship of Mamatha and Sunitha. Sunitha got close to Nalini. Nalini was jealous about sunitha’s friendship with Mamatha. She made false allegations on Mamatha. Sunitha believed Nalini. One day their friendship broke due to false beliefs created by Nalini about Mamatha.
Dear Toastmasters, now we know how Negative Beliefs impacts our Lives. Negative Believes may be created by us due to Circumstances or by somebody consciously to discourage our Spirit.
It is important to identify our Negative Beliefs in respect of our Personality, Relationships and Skills and take action to overcome them.
It is possible with imbibing Positive Thoughts, Feelings and Action. Positive Beliefs creates Mellifluous Life and we deserve it.
Dear Toastmasters, all of us are already on the path of Positivity. Can u guess that?
We have taken a step to Overcome our Negative Beliefs.. Our Negative belief about our “Speaking and Communication Skills”. That is why, we are here at Toastmasters.
I conclude with a quote of Tony Robbins:
Beliefs have the Power to Create and the Power to Destroy. Human beings have the awesome ability to take any Experience of their lives and create a Meaning.
Back to you Madam Toast Master.
