The Cascade of a Habit

Habits can be so entrenched that they stand in for beliefs. When we look at them square on, though, we may be able to see the difference.

If you have developed a pattern of behavior or of thought in response to an event or situation, it may be that it is your behavior or thinking that causes the response. Responses to events can not only change how we perceive the event but what we believe about the event. If you believe, for instance, that illness is stressful, then it will be. Think of it this way: you may have a lifelong habit of reacting to illness in a certain way, and it may be that reaction which is causing the stress. If you can change your reaction, maybe from an "oh, no, ohmygod, I'm getting sick, not again!" to "well, time for some rest and vitamin C, guess that's just what happens sometimes," you can change your belief from "being sick is stressful" to "being sick is an inconvenience and a signal that I need to take care of myself." You may think it is the situation itself that dictates your response, but it's not. It is your belief about it. Nothing - no event, situation, person, or object - has any value for us other than what we give it. The value we assign something is our belief about it.

A belief isn't a fact. That is why we call it a belief. It is more likely a habit that is so entrenched and convincing  that we can't imagine having a different one. Therefore we believe it. And a belief is always open to question, examination, and change. Isn't that good news?