Staying true to our beliefs is sometimes difficult, but it helps to state them clearly. Write them down, read them, feel them. Here are a few of mine:
I believe in equal access to education.
I believe in equal human rights, including freedom to love who we love without persecution, with equal access to the legal benefits of marriage.
I believe in unconditional human regard, including the individual’s right to be treated with the same dignity and respect as every other individual.
I believe in blurring and blending gender roles and notions of gender identity.
I believe in the power of creativity and fiction to broaden understanding and enhance reality.
I believe in the marriage of science and spirituality.
I believe in connections and friendship.
I believe in the power of kindness and empathy to change lives, especially the lives of those who practice kindness and empathy towards others.
I believe in the profundity of simplicity, the substantiality of subtlety, and the magnitude of quietude.
What do you believe? Let’s keep this list growing, shall we?
February 5, 2013 at 9:40 am
Thanks for your list, Chris. I believe in most of the same things. I would highlight racial justice with your human rights. I believe it is my responsibility to try to end discrimination based on race which still pervades aspects of our lives in this country and in my town.
February 5, 2013 at 10:00 am
Absolutely, that falls within equal human rights! I had a friend once tell me (and it stuck) that establishing equal human rights is the responsibility of all humans, and I couldn’t agree more.
February 5, 2013 at 2:28 pm
I believe we should spend less time texting and more time talking, less time on the computer and more time playing withour children, less time indoors and more time outdoors (although I know in California this is much easier than in other states!), less time criticizing and more time complimenting, less time in bitterness and more time in love. Thanks for the reminder to contemplate our beliefs. Hugs and gratitude, SWM.♥
February 5, 2013 at 2:50 pm
Agreed. All good beliefs. Thank you for sharing some of your beliefs!
February 5, 2013 at 7:57 pm
YES! Yes to all of the above!
February 5, 2013 at 8:00 pm
Love you, Deb! Stay in touch even if it isn’t through blogging, okay? XOXO
February 5, 2013 at 4:23 pm
Well put! It’s hard to argue any of these beliefs.
February 5, 2013 at 5:05 pm
Thanks, Mary.
February 5, 2013 at 7:58 pm
I love this. Also, there’s a chapter in Just One Thing about saying “yes.” I couldn’t believe how much better I felt after reading a chapter full of the word “yes.” Reading this had the same impact on me: a sense of joy, of possibility, of the goodness of believing positive things and wishing others well. Love it, and love to see you posting again!
February 5, 2013 at 10:39 pm
Thank you, Deb! I’m so glad to see your comments here, and I’m looking forward to reading more of that book. I’m also really pleased that this had such an impact on you. This felt like a very simplistic, unsophisticated post, and I considered keeping it to myself, so I’m glad it resonated with you.
February 6, 2013 at 10:38 am
I like all of these, but ‘Marriage of science and spirituality’ is my favorite. Well said.
February 6, 2013 at 10:59 am
Thanks! When I wrote that, I was specifically thinking of the awe-struck wonder and love I feel when I think about the vastness of the universe. “We are star stuff” and all that. Amazing.
February 7, 2013 at 12:04 pm
Love the last line, and the list is beautiful.
February 7, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Thank you, SH! I was rather proud of that last one.
February 11, 2013 at 8:21 am
I believe in justice and the need to extend it and correct our current system to expand it to all our members.
I believe in the power of touch, the power of simple hugs.
Other than that, I love your list. Thank you.
February 11, 2013 at 8:28 am
Touch can be so calming, can’t it? And hugs life giving. I agree. Thanks, Valentine.
February 26, 2013 at 4:55 pm
I believe that while I may create my own destiny, it’s not all me.
March 21, 2013 at 11:01 am
I believe in the importance of really listening to others and that a simple kind gesture can make a big difference. Your post gets straight to the point, bravo.