I read a book a couple of months ago called “This I Believe.”
The book is based on the NPR series, which goes by the same name. I’ve never heard this series on NPR, but I don’t listen to this station much. Anyway, This I Believe has people of all different walks of life talking about what they believe, essentially, about their meaning of life. They have 300 to 500 words to do this. Each piece is very different. It compelled me to think about how these people have arrived at their own personal beliefs. But it also made me reflect on my own beliefs in many different ways.
There were 80 Americans featured in this book. They included everyone from “ordinary Joes” to the likes of Colin Powell, Gloria Steinem, William F. Buckley Jr., Penn Jillette, and Bill Gates. There were teachers, lawyers, post office workers, store clerks, and on.
Many of the “beliefs” were eye-opening to me. Some were inspirational. Others did not resonate. Nonetheless, it was thought-provoking. I would read one or two of the entries each morning and write about them, reflecting on what they meant or did not mean in regard to my life.
In the end, though, I started jotting down some of the things that “I believe,” and the list got pretty long.
I believe in love and kindness.
I believe in good.
I believe in a higher power.
I believe in angels.
And angles.
I believe in the human spirit.
I believe in the dog spirit. Cats too. And every sentient being on this Earth.
I believe in science and the laws of science.
Gravity is the great proof of this. Stand at the edge of a cliff and test science if you don’t believe.
And I mean that in a loving, kind, and good way.
I believe in nature.
I believe in fried bologna, white toast, and dip eggs.
I believe in the magic of a warm and cozy house on a cold winter’s night.
I believe we should tip servers and treat them respectfully.
I believe in respect.
For many people and things.
I believe in the morning dew on green grass as the sweet Nuthatch sits chirping in the tree nearby.
I believe in Yahtzee.
I believe in the wonder of the perfect cheese pizza.
I believe in sobriety.
In second chances.
In hope.
I believe in kindness and compassion.
I believe in love.
I believe in a lot of things.
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“The things that we love tell us what we are.” —Thomas Aquinas
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“What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.” —Plutarch
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“You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” —James Allen
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