What I Believe

I have noticed a trend among my friends and business associates. It seems that in the regular telephone calls that I both make and receive, at some point in the conversation one of us will ask the other “What does your day look like?” The intent of the question is to gain a sense as to just how busy a person might be that day. The answer to that question will of course vary with each person that I talk to, but generally, the answers will revolve around a review of the schedule for that day. Some times the schedule is very busy and then at other times not. Yet, every person seems to focus only on the tasks that are directly in front of them. It is as though we are living sort of a day to day existence. I believe that life should be much more than that, and that there is a way to live a fuller life.

I was thinking of all of this in the context of something that I listened to on Public Radio the other day. Each week my local station airs a feature titled “This I Believe.” The brief segments feature both famous and not so famous people reading brief statements about their personal beliefs. Funny, but as I write these words it has occurred to me for the first time that not once in listening to these features have I heard a person talking about their religion. This is funny to me because to my normal way of thinking a statement of belief generally runs to our personal faith or religious credo. Rather, the weekly “This I Believe” segments are about the basic beliefs on life and living from the perspective of ordinary people. Some of the statements are extraordinary and have moved me to tears with their depth and emotion. Others reflect a perspective perhaps gained from a life of service or sacrifice. Some of the statements have been funny and make you think. This led me to ponder about what we believe. Questions such as if asked, what would the people I know say that they believe in? Not the heavy duty questions like do you believe in God, but instead questions that would focus on the deeply held truths that really do impact our thinking and our actions.


Thinking of what others might say to some of my questions of course then caused me to wonder about my own answers. Of course I then immediately fancied myself reading on NPR my profound statement of what I believe. I imagined that I would write something that would be moving and inspiring and would generate comments from listeners anxious to hear more from this great thinker. Before I could go off too deeply on that particular fantasy, I realized that I had not ever really thought about what I believe deep down in my very soul. Before I could imagine writing something profound, I had to first really think about what I believed. This has been on my mind for about a month now. What I have learned is that just the thought of telling anyone what I really believe is very frightening. What if someone actually knew what I believed? Would people think less of me? What if my beliefs were in conflict with those that I love or respect? Will I lose friends? How would my statement of beliefs impact my business relationships? Is the whole idea just foolishness?

My experience has been that when I have a chance to really get to know someone, I always have a sense of what they stand for. I get to know those things in their life that are the “non-negotiable” principles. I get to know what they believe. Even when I don’t agree, I am always struck by the fact that there are still people in this world that have things that they stand for. I often come away saying that I want to be just like that. Not that I want to have their principles, but rather, I want to make clear my own. That has led me to create my own statement. My version of what I believe. A word of caution is appropriate here as what I believe may offend some of the people that I work with, and may offend my friends. I also know that articulating what I believe may forever hurt my job prospects if a potential employer or client does an internet search on me. Right here in black and white I could well doom my chances for future employment. Yet, the very boldness of this prospect is interesting to me. So, if you intend to read further, I ask only one thing. Whatever you think about what I believe, take the time to tell me. You can write to me, or call me, but tell me at least before you tell another human being.

I believe in God. This is not just an intellectual acceptance that there is a supreme being that exists in control of everything, but for me, this means that I believe that I am one of his children. Actually, this is my most foundational belief and frames for me much of everything I believe.

I believe in laughter. I laugh often at myself and I enjoy making others laugh. I mention this right after my belief in God because I also believe that God has a great sense of humor, and as his son, I just carry on the traits of my father. I believe the world is a very simple place. We are the ones that make it difficult.

I believe that everything we do, feel, and experience is a matter of choice. I believe that the wiser our choices, the better the life we live. I believe that there are only a few things in the world that I can control. I believe in focusing on those things, and through that focus I find that my influence has grown.

I believe that I am a leader. However, unlike many leaders, I spend most of my time just leading myself. I believe that we could all do a better job in that area.

I believe that I have been given incredible opportunities in my lifetime and I am grateful that I have been so fortunate. I believe that I have something to share in my point of view and I believe that I can teach others how to live life more successfully.

I believe that not much matters more to me than my family and those that I love. I believe that “stuff” can get in the way of what is really important and we should be careful not to have too much.

I believe that we don’t talk to people enough, and when we do we are generally not honest. I believe that when we are honest with people we usually are being self-serving.

I believe that each of us plays an important role in the life of someone that we hardly notice. I believe that we ought to seek out that person and decide to make a real difference in their life.

I believe that each of us is truly powerful beyond measure (see my first belief to bear this out) and that we must stop living small insignificant lives and really live up to the gifts we each have been given. I believe that I have greatness in my heredity. I believe that I will live up to that heritage as I help others to recognize their own greatness.

Finally, I believe that really thinking about what you believe helps to focus our lives on what really matters, and in that we can find relief from our stress, and a renewed focus that will give clear and compelling direction in our lives.

This is what I believe.