Step 1:
Determine Truth: The first step is to determine what is true. Not what you believe to be true, rather what is founded in fact. Be weary of scientific theories that form ideas based on research that is not necessarily grounded in fact. Much of science has been found to be factual and so that would be acceptable medium to base your convictions on. Similarly, be aware of spiritual ideas that do not tackle the subject of fact or have not been researched to determine if there is a factual basis. These types of beliefs can leave one with convictions inconsistent with what is known to be fact. This is not to negate or discriminate against religion or science.
Step 2:
Determine Emotion: Consider what you know. Is that knowledge based on fact or on feelings. I feel like this is true so this is what I believe. Feelings can change as your mood or the chemicals in your body change so any convictions that you have that are rooted in emotion is potentially inconsistent, not to mention could also be contrary to actual facts. Many of our convictions are a social response; whether a response to our upbringing or to events that took place in our past. None of these should be considered irrelevant strictly because the source is social.
Step 3:
Forming Convictions: Jot down your current convictions. Review each one individually and decide if they are rooted in emotion or in fact. This could take time and research. Once you have determined which ones are rooted in fact, keep those on the list. Any others which are rooted in emotion can either be discarded or kept if they are consistent with what you have determined to be fact. If they are inconsistent with fact then they must be discarded to prevent hypocrisy.
Step 4:
Relationship: The relationship is like this. Facts produce Convictions. Convictions produce emotions.
Step 5:
Living Up to Convictions: Once you have a solid understanding of your convictions, remind yourself of them when appropriate situations arrive. Don’t allow your emotions to change your convictions. This isn’t to say that you can’t change them, just make sure that you make an educated decision when challenging your convictions.
