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Have you ever had someone believe in you even more than you
believe in yourself? For those of you who have, you’ll understand that it’s the
most invigorating feeling one can have. I am sure its similar to the pride a
father feels when his son thinks he is superman. My grandfather was a simple,
humble man. He did not stand very tall, and was not someone of extreme wealth
but what he lacked in stature he proficiently supplemented for with character.
As a scientist now fulfilling my passion, I am eternally indebted for the role
my grandfather played in this natural progression of my career path. He
cultivated my curiosity, a fundamental trait in my role as a research
scientist. As a child with a natural curiosity, he spent countless hours answering
every question I could muster, promoting adventures into understanding and
educating my young mind on the ways of the world.
The climax of the relationship with my grandfather came when I
set off for college. As a young 17-year-old boy from the small islands of the
Bahamas, with not a lot of worldly experience, setting forth in the world to
attend University in the USA, was a daunting challenge. I knew that I had goals
in life; at that time I wanted to become a medical doctor and knew that the
journey began with college far away from home. A few days before I set forth on
my journey (A journey that I seem to still be traveling) to Ohio (God only
knows why Ohio), my grandfather sat me down and told me firstly that he was
proud of me, secondly he believes in me, and that he expects great things from me.
As a man of not many words I knew exactly what he meant, his affirmation of
expected greatness was not an overzealous expectation for me to become the next
Rhodes Scholar, but I knew that what he was telling me was that if I lived up
to my potential then I could become whatever I desire. That was his version of
greatness, having the strength to pursue my own desire. Which I now view as a
simplistic, but profound outlook on the essence of greatness.
At this point in my life I was wholly uncertain of myself,
and my own capabilities. I constantly doubted myself about whether or not I
would complete my goal of becoming a physician or even just completing my
undergraduate degree. But through out the years I have always looked back to
that moment, and I have reflected on my grandfather’s belief in me. Honestly,
it is that same belief that has helped to guide me through undergrad, graduate
school and still drives me today as I undergo postgraduate training. Having
someone believe in you beyond your own belief in yourself is a very powerful
feeling, it can make you achieve accomplishments you did not phantom to attain.
Lately I find myself reflecting on this belief, and wondering where would I be
without the people who believed in me. Honestly it is not an easy answer, but that
feeling of overwhelming support has helped guide me through the highs and lows
of this roller coaster we call life.
But having something or someone to believe in is a fundamental
aspect of human culture isn’t it? Religions, all religions, are based upon the
ideology of Faith and believing in a higher power/purpose. Faith alone is a
powerful emotion that has been described as fulfilling, revitalizing or even
overwhelming. At the core of faithful living is the power of believing in
something you can not see, hear or touch and believing it has a power that you
can not control and do not understand but exists. At its core values faith is
believing in the unbelievable.
Additionally, we are constantly confronted with the life
affirming power of overwhelming belief every day. Avid sports fans channel this
belief system through their favorite teams when believing that their support
for their teams, no matter how far away, has a direct impact on the play and
outcome of the game. Most athletes would tell you that when their fans are
cheering them on they feel the energy transform them. They can feel the support
that pushes them to levels beyond their own belief. And just like the power of
having someone believe in you is transformative, the power of having someone or
something to believe in can be just as impactful. As human beings it is no
secret that we crave a higher purpose, this is why countless religions have
existed since man began walking the earth. Countless Gods, countless religions, but all
require one thing, faith. If you take a human being, and sequester them away
from society/civilization and allow them to grow in isolation when you come
back many years later they will have formed a belief system/religion stressing
the need of human beings to crave something to believe in.
Now I know you are wondering how as a scientist, can you
tout the powers of faith and believing when you search to de mystify most
spiritual encounters. However, I argue that science in itself requires a powerful
belief system. Over the past several centuries science has evolved to a level
where we understand more things about human evolution than ever before.
However, if you look back to the early scientists, they required a strong
belief system in order to make the marquee discoveries of their day. One
example is Edison and electricity, an invisible force that at the time could
not be quantified however he was able to harness it into the light bulb. Albert
Einstein believed whole-heartedly in the existence of gravity and the laws that
bound its existence even without direct evidence. As a scientist it takes a
strong belief system to pursue the unknown, to believe that you can prove what
no one else has shown before, in essence science requires faith.
As human beings we spend a lot of time and energy,
challenging one another’s belief system and attempting to debunk one belief
over another (i.e. Which religion is the right religion, is one
God/denomination the right one). But I challenge you to believe, not in the
unknown or unseen but to believe in someone who is important in your life.
Whether it is a family, friend or stranger, believe that they have the capacity
to achieve that which they doubt. Life is full of non-believers (i.e. haters),
but by my estimates having one person believe in you is enough to battle one
thousand haters.
And although my grandfather is no longer walking this earthly
plane I can still feel the power of his belief in me surging through my veins
on a daily basis and for that I am eternally grateful. I can only hope to
impart a similar affirmation on to my loved ones.
Dedicated to James Audley Wilberforce Carey Sr. thanks for helping me become the man I am today |
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