Faith is an emotion that has long been recognised as a pillar supporting a positive outlook on life. Its association with religion aside, the word is synonymous with hope, goal-setting and achievement. But I wonder, is it really enough to simply have 'faith'?

Sure, faith alone won't make all your dreams come true. You don't have to be an atheist to realise that action is what separates conception and realisation. But I declare that it really goes deeper than a mere coalition of faith and action. In fact, I know this to be so. Let's take a look at a dictionary definition of the word, 'faith':

- Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing;

- Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.

Let's discuss the first part of the definition: Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing. Now, imagine someone in your life whom you know inside-out, someone you don't even have to question, you know them so well. You respect their values, and ever since you've known them, you've never known them to lie. They've proven themselves to be honest.

With that said, then, when dealing with this person, is faith really needed, since they speak the truth? Think about it, if you know something or someone to be true, 'faith' is, therefore, by definition, redundant. Faith assumes that there is an element of doubt in the person or thing. If you know something or someone to be true, it stands to reason that there is therefore no chance that any contradiction could exist. It is not faith, but a knowing, a certainty about this person, based upon your discriminate judgement of them, that leaves no need of faith.

Now let's study the second part of the definition: Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. The truth is, it could only be a belief if it didn't rest on logical proof. I remember a few years ago, in my network marketing days, I was at a party thrown by one of the pace-setters in the company I was in - Chris Mason-Paull. He was a successful, wealthy man and lived in a beautiful, big house with a pool, etc, etc. Very nice, indeed.

At one point in the evening, we were in a conversation with a Christian man about religious beliefs. Chris said something that remained with me ever since, because it was, quite simply, logical. He said, "If you have to believe in something, then there is a chance that it doesn't exist". If there is no logical proof of something, then there is a chance that it doesn't exist. This goes for religion, the supernatural, creation, etc. Not to get into a deep monologue on the illogic of religion, here, but let me explain my point.

Surely, then, it makes sense to live by objective principles? Yes, it does! As humans, we can only be sure of having five senses: sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste. We can also be sure that we are limited in the time we have to live. As humans, we are unique in the animal kingdom in possessing a reasoning mind. With all this considered, then, doesn't it make sense to spend one's life in the constant improvement of the power of these five senses AND of the mind?

To spend any time in the believing of that which hasn't even been proven to exist is a waste of a life. As humans, we have so much potential. We are the greatest race that has ever graced this planet. Our existence here, today, is testament to that. We have achieved some astounding things, and it's exciting to think about what else we will achieve. But it will only be by playing to one's strengths that the fulfilment of one's human potential will be realised.

Of some things in life, though, there is no proof for, yet there exist common beliefs for based upon logic. The best example I can think of is taken from a line by Russell Crowe's character in the film, 'A Beautiful Mind'. He said something like he "didn't know if the universe is never-ending or not, but he believed it to be".

Some things in life will be proved by science, logic and reason. Some, such as religion, will not and cannot. As a race, our survival and advancement lies in the hands of those that are striving to grow themselves using that which has taken us from swinging from the trees, to building skyscrapers. I can tell you that in those skyscrapers, you definitely won't find suited executives holding hands in circles chanting mantras and spells.

Time is short. Respect your existence as a human being, play to your strengths, and live in a constant state of improvement. You have everything you need - it's what got you here in the first place. It's time to take it - and you - further.

To freedom,

Scotty Stevens