Evidence of things not seen

I had a conversation with a friend of mine last week around the topic of religion.  Specifically we were speaking about the distinction between begin religious and being spiritual.  I am a bit of a literalist when it comes to this topic as I see a religious habit as one that is done repeatedly, without thought to greater impact (a without fail mentality). This could apply to attendance at church or temple, a type of prayer performed by rote or any element of the ritualistic that tends to accompany some religious practices.  Spirituality however, has more to do with the connection with the soul, inner self, consciousness (whatever you call it) and that of the larger/greater Universe, God (whomever you call it).  

For many, it is far more attractive to be considered a spiritual person that it is to be regarded as religious.  Religion carries all of the negative connotations of war, zealots, fanaticism, antagonistic and at times terroristic activities.

Spirituality, however bears the badge of honor as the all accepting, welcoming piece of the world that we all possess and can tap into.  Spirituality is friendly.  It's faith without all the rules and regulations.  Everyone likes that.

In my journey to become a better salesperson, leader, entrepreneur, I have had more than one encounter where I have been told that what is required is that I become a modern philosopher.  People who succeed in my business are on the top of their game - exuding their best self all of the time.  Always positive, never doubtful, and most importantly they are supercharged with an overabundance of faith.  These people are business rock stars because they have worked so hard on their spiritual well being.  To be centered is to be balanced, happy calm - to know that even though you can't see the end that it is there, to know that even though you don't know how, a way will present itself.  It's calm under pressure, it's an inner peace and confidence in self that you can't imitate.

Some would confuse good businesspeople as being soulless, without faith. But attendance to the religious is not the same as faith.   Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1).  Faith is believing God loves you whether you go to Church or not.  A good businessperson has the most faith of all - for they believe in a way, a product, a service that will change the world - and believe in it so much, that they would risk their entire livelihood on that belief.  That's faith.  That's Immanuel Kant's double jump: believing even when rationale says you should not.

I can exercise my prospecting muscle, my presentation muscles, beef up my sales skills.  But the mark of the great is their undeniable and unwavering faith in themselves, their mission and their vision.

Day 14s reason my business is awesome: Only the faithful survive.