E-couragement: I Believe!
It's the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen. Muhammad Ali
It was a cold winter evening and the holiday feel was heavy in the air. It was time for my friend and business colleague, Emily Howard, and I to gather our families and celebrate the end of a successful year. With a glass of red wine in one hand and a delightful snack in the other, I found myself sequestered by Emily’s five-year-old daughter in the corner of the living room. By her tense posture and tone of voice, I had the feeling I might be tied up for a while.
We had all recently seen the animated movie, Polar Express, and it appeared that Ryann was bent on narrating the entire movie back to me. “Mr. Rich, do you remember when…?” were the questions I heard in rapid fire succession. It seemed that no matter how many times I said, “Yes Ryann, I do remember that part” or “Yes Ryann, I remember that scene too” the blue eyed, tow headed kindergartner was not going to let up on her quest to relive this particular movie through her audience of one.
For those of you unfamiliar with the Polar Express story, here’s the gist of it. The story takes place on Christmas Eve when a young boy, named Billy, is beginning to question his belief in Santa Claus. Somehow, a magical train called the Polar Express pulls up in front of his house and he is invited to journey to the North Pole. As Billy reaches the North Pole he experiences Santa in all his glory and is handpicked to receive the first present of Christmas. He chooses a bright silver bell from Santa's sleigh which makes a beautiful jingle.
After the Polar Express returns Billy to his home he excitedly shares the prized gift with his family on Christmas morning. He and his sister dance to its delightful jingle while their parents, no longer believers in the magic of Santa, are unable to hear the bell. As the years go by, fewer and fewer people recognize the bell’s enchanting sound. In time, it even goes silent for Billy’s sister. The story’s theme of belief in Santa is simple and profound, even for five-year-old Ryann.
Approaching the end of her narrative, Ryann’s pace quickened. Like a conductor of a symphony orchestra nearing the final crescendo, Ryann stretched tall, leaned into my personal space, glared deep into my eyes nearly penetrating my soul and powerfully exclaimed, “Mr. Rich, I BELIEVE!”
There’s a question engaging leaders must have the courage to wrestle with—the question of belief. What do you believe in as passionately as Ryann believes in Santa? What conviction do you hold so sacred that you must 
shout it out to whoever might hear? Here’s the real Christmas miracle, when you take action based on your deep belief, things happen. The entire universe responds and works on your behalf, cheering you on towards success. So, the question remains, in what do you passionately believe?
Leave your comments: In what do you passionately believe? How is that belief manifesting itself through your work and life?