“You become what you believe.” I’m pretty sure Oprah said this, and it’s a quote that’s stuck with me for years. As a child, I was constantly told to believe in myself. To dream big, to embrace possibilities—even the ones that seemed far-fetched. That belief was my currency, my motivator. It pushed me forward when the odds were stacked against me.

But here’s the kicker: belief isn’t just about dreaming; it’s about action. Believing I’m a fair and empathetic person has shaped my choices, how I treat others, and how I navigate life. It’s become my guiding principle, a reflection of who I am. But believing I’m a pilot? Well, that’s a different story. No amount of belief can substitute for the hard skills and training required to fly a plane.

So, where does that leave us? It’s a fine balance between believing in our core values and recognizing the limits of wishful thinking. Embracing possibilities is essential, but we also have to ground those possibilities in reality.

When I was a child, belief was all I had to hang on to. It was the fuel that kept me moving, the lens through which I saw the world. And as I’ve grown, that belief has evolved. I no longer believe I can do anything—I believe I can do what matters most to me. I can be fair, empathetic, and open to new possibilities, even if they don’t come with a pilot’s license.

In the end, we do become what we believe, but only when those beliefs are anchored in our true selves. That’s the magic, the balance—the place where dreams meet reality and where belief transforms into being.