How I Came to Form a Particular Belief, Essay Example

Beliefs are personal in nature, and influence the way people interact with the world. Sometimes, beliefs assist people in achieving their goals—like the belief that hard work and determination will always pay off. Sometimes, beliefs can be harmful to others—like the belief that one race of people is superior to another. What one person holds to be true, another may not believe. Beliefs are shaped by an individual’s personal life experiences, and in turn, they influence the experiences of the individual. One of my core beliefs, which has both been shaped by and shaped my life, is the belief that education is the key to success.

From a young age, my environment helped to shape this belief. Both of my parents attended college and held professional careers. My mother insisted that both I and my younger sister attend private school. She felt that the public schools in our area were not particularly good, and told us that we needed an education if we wanted to live full, happy lives. The schools I attended, in turn, further conditioned this belief by rewarding me whenever I proved my understanding of the course material. Without these experiences to define my beliefs, I may think differently about education.

My beliefs about education have also shaped my life. I am attending college because I believe that I will be successful as a direct result. I would not have invested the time and money required otherwise. Motivated by my beliefs, I have taken the risk of investment of time and money because I know that these will pay off in the end.

I also seek out information and knowledge everywhere I go. Whether this involves reading the back of the cereal box or learning a foreign language, I feel that education must extend past the classroom in order for true success to be realized. I consider each day as an opportunity to improve my education and move closer to success.

While some individuals may hold common beliefs, most do not arrive at those beliefs the same way. Life is a journey, and people are often influenced by their surroundings. By contrast, two individuals with similar past experiences, may hold decidedly different beliefs because of the way they interpret those experiences. Whatever the beliefs, they help to shape our future actions and destinies.