Change is Crucial to Improve Ourselves

Belief systems are concepts that assist us in understanding and determining the surrounding reality. These concepts are influenced by numerous factors in an individual's lifetime and change over time. While the most acknowledged system is the belief system, there are other known systems such as religious, governmental, and ideological systems. Most of us tend to hold onto existing beliefs that keep us anchored in the world. However, a person who is entrenched in a belief system for an extended period can give it up and meaningfully change.

Transformation is Essential for Self-Improvement

As we age, we tend to become progressively more capable and genuinely steady. These changes generally unfold over many years and seem to reflect a natural process. Individuals change because of life experiences that make them open to transformation. According to Schoep's website, “I realized many of the principles I had once held so dearly and sacrificed so much for were wrong. After wrestling with my conscience over how to best set things right, I realized that I cannot just sit back while the world continues to burn in the flames of hatred. Instead of remaining silent, I have decided to speak out and help others. It is now my mission to be a positive, peaceful influence of change and understanding of all humanity in these uncertain times” (Schoep, 2020, p. 30). Schoep was the longtime leader of the National Socialist Movement since he was 21 years old. His organization was known worldwide for wearing Nazi storm trooper uniforms, waving swastika flags, and celebrating Adolf Hitler’s birthday. Most importantly, they were blamed for the violence others committed. After going through his experience, Schoep finally realized that things weren't as they used to be when he was 21. The world changes, generations change, and so did he, not just physically but mentally, as he once stated that it was affecting his health. He knew that what his organization did was wrong. After he left the lawsuit as Stern promised him, Schoep said, “He had been disowned by the people he considered family in the National Socialist Movement” (Schoep, 2020). Schoep had given up his beliefs fully and changed in a meaningful way. His mission became to be positive and help others instead of being a bystander and remaining silent.

The Power of Personal Interactions

Many people have dealt with different life experiences. In the documentary Accidental Courtesy, Daryl Davis likes to meet and become close with individuals from the Ku Klux Klan. In his movements, he has gathered robes and different other things from the friends he made who have left the Klan. Each of these robes or artifacts he collected has a different story. Daryl always made these Klansmen feel respected. The majority of the KKK members he became close to end up leaving their Klan. This is how Daryl got their robes because every time one left, they would give him their belongings from the Klan. Daryl stated in Accidental Courtesy, “I never set out to convert anybody. I just set out to get an answer to my question, How can you hate me when you don’t even know me?” (Davis, 2016). The relationships he builds with these Klansmen are how he transforms their hearts and minds. Every single time he talked to any racist, he would destroy their racial prejudices by just talking to them, as shown in the documentary. Former Klansman Scott Shephard stated, “When you have an alcohol or drug problem, the alcohol and drugs are not the problem, they’re just the symptom. There’s a deeper problem. Racism is just a symptom. I didn’t have to address the racism, I had to address those deeper issues within myself” (Shephard, 2016). People can indeed change; they just need to confront themselves and their symptoms. There has always been a theory that people tend to follow the social patterns of their parents when they are born.

The Influence of Beliefs

We all have our own beliefs that shape our lives. The article How Beliefs Are Formed and How to Change Them states, “They affect our opinion of ourselves, others, and the world at large. Most importantly, it impacts how happy and successful we are. We underestimate them and assume that they are true whether they are or not” (Smith, 2020). People change at times because they aren’t happy; either they’ve never been happy or they recently started feeling low. The majority of the time, people follow the beliefs of their parents. On the other hand, there are many different beliefs and changes. For example, when one is Catholic and gets married to a Christian, they may change to Christianity. This exemplifies that people can change.

Conclusion

A person who has been in a belief system for a long period can change meaningfully. As people grow older, they change through life experiences. Some changes may take a short period, while others take longer. This makes it meaningful because people are willing to put in the effort. Change is hard, but it is always worth it to better oneself.

References:

• Davis, D. (2016). Accidental Courtesy. [Documentary].
• Schoep, J. (2020). The ‘race whisperer’. Retrieved from [website URL].
• Shephard, S. (2016). Accidental Courtesy. [Documentary].
• Smith, J. (2020). How beliefs are formed and how to change them. Retrieved from [website URL].