The Power of Belief: Why Santa Is Real as Long as You Believe

“Santa is real as long as you believe in him.”

This was the perfect response my mom gave me when I started to get old enough to have my doubts about the big guy. My next-door neighbor had taken me into the woods and told me that Santa wasn’t real and that he had proof. He was about three years older than me and I had no idea what to think. I didn’t want to believe him, but he had some solid points.

But Santa is real, right?

Feeling uneasy and always willing to ask questions, I went straight to my mother. I told her what happened and she didn’t skip a beat. With complete calm and ease, she gave me what I still consider the best response possible.

“If Scott doesn’t believe in Santa, then he’s not real to him. And that’s okay. But if you believe in him, Santa is real. You just have to decide what you believe in, and whatever you choose, it is okay. Christmas will go on either way.”

I still had questions, but it clicked right away.

This is something that has stuck with me for decades and was much more profound than I realized at the moment.

It wasn’t about Scott bursting my bubble. It wasn’t about anger or sadness. It was about reality. And the reality is, whatever we choose to believe in is real to us.

Whenever someone talks to me about something that falls into the category of “mystical” or “extreme,” I think back to that moment when my mom had the answer. And I make a choice in what I believe. That choice can change over time, but it’s still a choice.

I chose to believe many things without needing proof.

I believe…

…meaningful relationships are the most important resource in the world

…a powerful conversation can change your life

…we are simply and completely a reflection of our values – either in alignment or conflict

…wounds can turn into wisdom when tended to with love

…our stories are all we have

And yes – there are studies and research to back some of these statements up. But I don’t need to read a word of it to know it’s true. They’re all real because I believe in them.

I don’t need to try to convince others to believe in these things.  They typically either get it or don’t. And if they don’t, that’s okay. I don’t need to turn them. But I can show up, every day in my values and beliefs. And I can surround myself with those who believe in the things I believe in.

What do you believe in?