Originally posted December 9, 2008
A friend recommended that I check out www.thisibelieve.org today. I’d heard of it before and have read a few of the essays. You could spend hours on that site. There are a lot of thought-provoking ones, like this one and this one and this one. And I’ve always adored this one. After reading a few I thought I’d start compiling my own list, because a lot of times my own rambling thoughts don’t make sense until I get them down on paper. It’s a work in progress.
I believe life should be lived with all five senses at attention.
I believe that we are innately good, but that goodness must be fostered.
I believe retaining one’s idealism and optimism is hard work — maintaining low expectations so as to not be disappointed is taking the easy way out.
I believe the definition of “wrong” or “sinful” is anything that harms or tears another person down. One should strive to build other people up. It’s that simple.
I believe wars are not the answer, but will never be avoided without education and open-mindedness.
I believe differences should be celebrated, not converted.
I believe laughter heals the soul, and keeps one youthful.
I believe happiness is a choice, not a circumstance.
I believe that life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans. (Thank you, John Lennon.)
I believe that however well-intentioned, religion often creates a lack of social responsibility.
I believe that we should want to spread the wealth.
I believe everyone has the right to health care.
I believe everyone has the right to an education.
I believe that not everyone has boots, let alone bootstraps.
I believe travel and experiences are more valuable than property and possessions.
I believe sharing a meal with loved ones is a sacred ritual.
I believe touch is a basic human need, and one that can have detrimental effects on a person if it is denied or withheld.
I believe music is magic, and that those who can create it have a genius I am envious of but will never possess.
I believe that not knowing exactly what one believes — and freely admitting it — will earn a listening ear far quicker than dogmatic conviction.
