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• This I Believe Essay Showcase

'This I Believe' Essay Showcase

We asked GEL students and GEL alumni to share a belief in the form of an essay. The GEL program has long been one that helps students take stock of themselves and find their way through social and moral landscapes. Instructors in this program often assign This I Believe essays, sometimes as entry points into these landscapes and sometimes as souvenirs. Out of many, seven This I Believe essays stood out to a reading committee made up of students, faculty, and staff.

This I Believe is a popular essay genre that allows the writer to share a personal belief and, through a narrative, explain that belief’s origin or a time that belief was put into action. The essay genre started in the 1950s on a radio show with Edward R. Murrow and was continued by NPR in 2004. Many have enjoyed writing and reading these essays ever since. You can read or listen to tens of thousands of This I Believe essays at This I Believe.org .

To submit your essay for the 2019-2020 academic year, please use the link below:

This I Believe Showcase Essay Submission

The Writing Center is proud to present CSUSM’s This I Believe Showcase winners and their essays from the 2018-2019 Academic Year!

“I Am Enough” by Adrianna Adame

Throughout my life, I have always thought of myself as a failure. I was a failure for not being smart enough, friendly enough, or pretty enough. Always, I criticized myself for not putting in enough effort in order to work up to my full potential. Though, this wasn’t about working up to my full potential, but for not fulfilling the unrealistic expectations that I had burdened upon myself and by the people closest to me. The burdens that I carried weighed me down like how an anchor holds down a boat. Only, it was attached to my mind, instead of my ankle or a ship. The weight of the self-hatred and low self-esteem that I had made me feel like I was drowning. There wasn’t a bright horizon that could be seen in the distance, but instead more black and gray clouds that would bring another storm my way.

Day after day, I would look at myself in the mirror, tearing myself down. I would tell myself every night that I was never enough. I believed that I was a weak and worthless individual, a waste of time. This kind of hateful thinking made it a struggle to stay afloat. Before I knew it, I was weighed down by anxiety and an eating disorder. Each morning I would wake up to only to prepare to endeavor the difficulties of my illnesses.

At one point, I was fully consumed by the storm of my dark thoughts. I had trouble getting through each day. It was a struggle to pretend that everything was okay. I couldn’t even fake a smile anymore. During this time, I began to wonder what it would be like if I no longer existed. When I was staring at the cold and harsh waves of Monterey Bay one night, I realized that I didn’t want to drown. All of a sudden, I remembered all of the people in my life who helped me throughout the different stages of my life. I didn’t want to let them down. I thought about how I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life struggling to get through a single day. I didn’t want to go through life isolated, because of my anxiety. I wanted to live a life where I could be happy and be surrounded by people I admire. That moment of staring at the waves of Monterey Bay was when my determination to not only to just live came back, but my will to enjoy life came back.

I had to first learn from myself to begin to let go of the dark and anxious thoughts that had plagued me. Once I accepted that I would never be able to fulfill those unrealistic expectations that I had, I acknowledged that I needed to seek help by talking to mental health professionals. I couldn’t remain alone in the open sea forever, but needed to climb onto the lifeboat and communicate with people in my life.

Eventually, I realized that I wasn’t a failure. I actually was successful in many ways: for making it to CSUSM; being able to be there to those close to me; and having the beautiful gift of having the freedom to be the person that I am today.

I believe that I am enough. I am good enough for society. I am good enough to be myself without the burden of negative thoughts and unrealistic expectations. I am good enough to get the help that I need from others. I am good enough to live a happy life.

“The Power of Potstickers” by Lauren Brown

I believe in my mother’s cooking.

Ever since my mother realized I would have to cook for myself in college, she dedicated her summer to teaching me the ways of the kitchen. Whether it was educating me on how to operate a pressure cooker, showing me the best ways to peel of the skin of garlic, or demonstrating the right way to steam potstickers in a wok, the resilience my mother had in passing down as much as she knew was admirable. She insisted that the exact measurements or the exact ingredients weren’t necessary and cooking was more of an art than a hard science, but I still felt I would undoubtedly obliterate any flavor or texture with a single misplaced grain of salt; no compromise would yield perfection. Still, she persisted I pour rice into the cooker without a measuring cup and my heart sank with disappointment as I watched the watery, soupy mess fall heavily into the trash can.

“Sometimes, things won’t be perfect,” is what she told me, “and you just have to roll up your sleeves and realize that finding a different solution is the only way to save the dish.”

From then I started to see the compromises and solutions my mother would speak of, not just in the kitchen, but in her life around her.

My mother wanted to make us a traditional Taiwanese dinner, one her mother would make for her before she left for America. However, the pallet of my younger brother, only appreciating the complexities of chicken nuggets and pizza slices, refused to eat our cultural family infused feast. Next time my mother wanted to recreate the dishes, she opted for the frozen potstickers from Trader Joe’s with beef and American broccoli instead of cabbage and bok choy. Although this satisfied the tastes and likings of my sibling, I couldn’t help but despair over the changes to the recipes that I held so dear, despair over the compromise of our culture.

When I went away to college, my mother dutifully packed a freezer bag full of our pre-prepped food from home, and sitting on top of the frozen dishes were the Trader Joe’s potstickers.

Having roommates in college was a large enough compromise in itself, but food proved especially difficult. Caught off guard by roommates asking for tastes of my meals, I found myself naturally flowing into compromise the way my mother did, cooking for everyone and incorporating their preferences and restrictions. Egg noodles instead of rice. Less sesame oil and more soy sauce. Even though I didn’t welcome these changes to my dinners at first and feared the substitutes would produce a subpar dinner, I slowly found myself liking the alternatives more than the recipes. I continued, adding fried eggs, bean sprouts, spinach and spam to the prepackaged ramen noodles that only called for powdered flavor packets, and even my roommates began to show interest towards the unorthodox combination.

Although I find the exact measurements of recipes comforting, I do my best to add a pinch of this and a dash of that in my meals every so often. It’s how I get to go outside my comfort zone every day. And I see in myself a newfound wisdom: it's ok to go off the beaten path, you can experiment, compromise can lead to something new and beautiful. My mother’s cooking taught me that and I expect to bring that with me wherever I may go.

“I Believe in Healing” by Yahaira Cazares

I believe in healing. I believe in the enduring process of healing. September of 2017 I had an experience that has made the last year very difficult for my family and I. I long to heal and at times I feel like those steps towards healing are possible because I believe in hope, and that hope is part of healing. The idea that if I am not okay or not happy in this moment but have the capacity to become happy and become okay in the future is a motivating force for healing. I am in a place where I welcome the hurt and the pain because I understand that it is part of the healing process. I also welcome laughter and new opportunities because I believe allowing myself to be paralyzed in unhappiness will paralyze my healing.

I believe that as a person I am capable of allowing love to heal me. I believe that when my dog lays on my chest, she is healing me; when I tuck my younger brother in, he is healing me; when I hug my parents, they are healing me; when I watch “While you were Sleeping” for the fifteenth time, it is healing me. I am in the process of growth, and what I mean by that is I am “Filling my cup until my cup runneth over” I am choosing to fill my cup with understanding. The process of healing is like filling my cup with one drop per day, desperately agonizing, but desperately necessary to appreciate a full cup.

I have been visiting Mexico almost every other weekend, I see a lot of poverty, mothers are seated on the ground in the hottest and coldest of temperatures, with their babies and toddlers on their laps, trying to sell gum for any spare change. I had never been exposed to that level of poverty, and yet the babies and the toddlers were playing, laughing using rocks or a single action figure they had to share to create a fantasy, a game. That is when I realized that they were healing. Kids heal because they believe that good outweighs evil. They so willingly hope and neglect the possibility of failure. As adults, that diminishes. Experience takes it away, trauma takes it away, insecurity takes it away. Healing is taking it back. Taking back hope, taking back the unwavering belief that things will not always be bad. That there is always room for growth, always room for healing. To understand why things happen and appreciate the things that cannot be understood. There is strength in that, strength I hope one day to possess. I believe in change, I believe in growth, I believe in healing.

“Patience and Perseverance” by Erica Gershom

I believe that nothing in this world is unattainable if an individual works hard to achieve his or her goals. I have witnessed first-hand how much power perseverance has and how it can completely alter a person’s lifestyle and mindset. As an aspiring surgeon, I realize that it will take more than just good grades and volunteer experience to become someone who saves lives. Dedicating my life to helping patients will require a tremendous amount of sacrifice, self-control, and determination. In 2016, my father had a stroke, which permanently disabled his ability to walk and speak. At that time, I was enrolled in four A.P. classes, two dual enrollments classes, A.V.I.D., and I participated in three clubs on campus. I was also volunteering at Loma Linda Hospital on the weekends and singing at church on Sundays. The sole reason I was able to maintain a balance between all of my academic and extracurricular activities is because I believed in myself. I believed that I was capable of working harder than usual to juggle my school life and my family life together. I stayed up late to study for exams and woke up early to take my younger brothers to school since my mother had no other option but to work two jobs after my dad had become physically disabled. I do not know who I would be today if I had not pulled through these rough circumstances and persisted through high school regardless of the tragic events that occurred in my life. I wanted nothing but to wallow in my self-pity and feel horrible for all the setbacks that were persisting in my life. However, I made the decision to keep moving forward, and it was the best decision of my life.

I slowly began to see that my mindset played a huge role in determining how much work I could get done and where I would be in two years. I told myself to have a positive mindset and be patient, since I had seen the direct results of how well that played out in my life. Even today, I am faced with both internal and external struggles that would have normally held me back and prevented me from following my dreams, but a small voice of motivation in my head tells me to keep pushing through. As a 19-year-old female, I am proud to say that I have reached many milestones in my life that were on my to-do list, and it makes my passion for becoming a doctor intensify even higher, all thanks to diligence and patience.

Now, whenever someone asks me if I am really willing to undergo 14 more years of school—including residency and training—to become a surgeon, I say “absolutely, without a doubt.” Hard work has not only been a tool for success, but it has also given me a sense of purpose for my life. It has taught me how to have good work ethic and to always aim higher in everything I do.  It has also shown me that I have the power to change my own life and determine who I could be in this vast world. Success is not measured by the position a person is in, but rather how much hard work a person put in and how many challenges had to be overcome. With this in mind, I am willing to put forth as much effort as it takes to achieve my goal of becoming a great doctor and an even greater person.

“Faith, Hope, and Love” by Karen Siguenza

When I was six years old, my father, an undocumented immigrant was deported. I never knew that that was the reason why he moved to Mexico. I always thought that he just grabbed his stuff and left. Three years later, my mother was also deported. I remember when the ICE came into our room at 6 am in the morning. We were sleeping, then all of a sudden one of the ICE agents gets my sister and I dressed up and sends us to my aunt's house. I didn't understand anything that was going on. I mean I was nine, and my family would never speak the subject to me until a year later.

Every night I would pray to God to make sure my Mom was healthy. It was my faith in God that made me strong these past years. My mom would send me letters but she would never call because she was in a detention center. In those letters, there were prayers inside. Prayers of us seeing each other soon, and for us to be safe and healthy. I had all my faith in God, I would pray that I could see my mom. Having hoped to see mom again gave me strength. I tried my best in school and I always stayed focused. I wanted there to be a purpose for me being a first generation in the United States of America. I never let any opportunity go by.

I wanted to make my parents proud, and I still do. Even though they weren’t here physically with me throughout the years, I still received support from my mom. I had a few rough times in life that almost made me get off track. Through them I had my mom help me get through the difficult times, she would always give me love and support. You see, the most important thing a person can have is love. Having faith gives you a chance of having hope. Because of my faith, I never gave up on working hard in school.

I believe that faith and hope are a beautiful thing. When someone tells you, "I hope you do good." or "I hope everything will be ok for you." , that in my opinion, is the best feeling. I feel cared for and motivated because of it. It is true what they say, "it's the little things in life". Having hope makes me motivated in achieving success. In the Bible, the verse Corinthians 13:13, states: "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love". I had faith in God, which gave me hope. Faith and hope motivated me to succeed in my education. Without it, I wouldn't be where I am today, at California State University, San Marcos. I am here to receive an education and to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in order for me to have a stable job that I will love doing. But without my mother's love, I wouldn't be who I am today, a first-generation college student. I believe in faith, hope, and love. I believe that by giving or receiving these three things, it can make a better you.

“I Believe in Loving Myself” by Samantha Sparkenbach

I believe in loving myself. As a millennial, I am part of the majority of people who use social media. I was convinced that it was necessary to have platforms like Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat. I thought nothing harmful could come from an app, but I was wrong. From scrolling through pictures of girls who were living lavish lives that I would never have to compare my body to models photos that were most likely photoshopped, I was destroying my confidence slowly.

I grew up loving myself like any other kid would with so much innocence and happiness when I would sink my teeth into my favorite foods. What I would do to go back to a time where I could care less about what I was eating because it could affect the way my body looks. As I got older, I started to get more interested in fashion and makeup, I was more inclined to go on social media to get ideas and inspiration from online influencers. I thought there was no wrong in doing this because everyone my age was doing the same thing. People were posting all the adventurous trips they were going on as well as the most thrilling parts of their day. I was starting to notice how unsatisfying my life seemed compared to everyone else. I started questioning why I wasn’t living nearly the same exciting way they were. Not only was social media making my life feel dull but it was making me judge my body a certain way.  The more I found myself spending time standing in the mirror looking at myself and obsessing over the fact that my body wasn’t skinny enough was making me lose my self-worth. The mirror was starting to become a daily chore where I would point out every little detail I hated. I was viewing myself completely different than I really was, and just causing destruction inside of me. I no longer wanted to go out or hang out with people because I thought people would see what I was perceiving and not enjoy me anymore.

I remember one morning when I woke up and saw a stretch mark on the inside of my leg and I fell apart. All I could think about was how models don’t have stretch marks, so why do I? I was a mess about this and just wanted total isolation. I knew I could not keep filling my head with unhealthy acquisitions about myself.  I decided that it would be beneficial to remove all my social media accounts to see if I would feel more valuable.

As time would pass that I wouldn’t be checking my phone and wouldn’t be comparing my body to others, I was loving myself more. I started to wear clothes that I felt truly beautiful in and adapted my own style, not the style social media told me I should wear to feel sexy. I had completely created an ideal body in my head of what was perfect and no one can achieve that realistically. My body is unique and no one else has the same one as I do. Through the process of loving myself, I have been able to help so many of my friends to do the same, and the glow I started to see within them made me feel so content. Through loving myself I have learned inner peace and what it means to not rely on anyone else but myself. I believe in loving myself because my body is constantly working to keep me alive and healthy. I believe in loving myself because I deserve to think in a positive way instead of negative. I believe in loving myself.

“Infatuation” by Reignmarc Vincent Labuguen

I believe infatuations are necessary to strengthen desire, passion, and happiness in life. It’s a word that describes admiration for a short period of time. Infatuations is a viral emotion that can occur without notice. Whether it’s a job you’ve seen on television, following the footsteps of your idol, or getting your crush’s phone number. The word does not have to be involved romantically. Infatuations may end in disappointment. Sometimes it may become an excuse to never attempt a dream again. Time flies by, I have somehow made it this far. Thanks to these admirations.

I believe infatuations are all a part of a process that makes me an open book to opportunities. It’s hard to see it as a positive outcome, but the illusion of being disappointed begins to fade when a new opportunity is presented.

I can recall experiences that consist of undesirable outcome and disappointment. But I choose not to because who would like to hear me complain about my past. I am nowhere qualified for a podcasting career. But I do want to share you my past experience because I do believe it’s the reason why I hold my passions to live a successful life. My infatuations have always been a time when I do something uncharacteristic. It is usually my mother that notice my actions first, more than anyone.

In ninth-grade, I tried out for the varsity basketball team. My mom called me out and said, “why bother, your physically and mentally unathletic.” Boy, I wanted to prove her wrong. This would’ve been the best underdog story you’ve ever heard. I was cut from the team after the third day of try-outs. I was out of my comfort zone, literally and physically. Yes, it ended my dream following Kobe Bryant’s legacy. But I couldn’t imagine myself getting out of my comfort zone again without being in this position. Rejection is my greatest fear, but without it, I’ll never know how to cope with failure ever again.

In eleventh grade, I finally came at peace that basketball will never be a reality, and I accept it. So, I came back to my passion for public service. I ran for a position in ASB, not once but twice. When I told my mom that I wanted to return to public service, she told me, “you got to be kidding me, you’re not going through this and lose it all again.” She called me out for not being mainstream to win in a high school setting. But of course, my infatuation got the best of me and submitted my campaign to run for president. It is a huge commitment to run for public service. The front-runner was no other than the popular girl on campus. I was committed to winning, but the high school population was too overwhelming. I can certainly tell you my mom is a fortune teller, I lost the election by a landslide. Cheers to democracy.

My obsession achieving a dream influence actions outside my comfort zone. I accept that infatuation gets the most of me. The short-term desires reveal uncharacteristic actions. It is a bittersweet process, but I am thankful for it. While most outcomes result in heartbreak, it also reveals new characteristics of me. I take advantage of it, so when the next desire come, achievement might actually be a possibility.

This I Believe Essay

This i believe essay generator.

In the realm of personal expression and introspection, the “This I Believe” essay stands as a testament to the power of individual beliefs and narratives. Rooted in the context of personal experiences and convictions, these essays provide a platform for individuals to articulate their core principles, values, and perspectives. Through the use of various literary devices and elements , authors craft narratives that illuminate their unique outlook on life. In this article, we will delve into the definition of a This I Believe essay, present a step-by-step guide on how to craft one, address common questions, and explore the essence of this expressive form.

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What is a This I Believe Essay?

A This I Believe essay is a written composition that encapsulates an individual’s personal beliefs, values, and philosophies. Often reflective and intimate in nature, these essays offer readers insight into the author’s subjective understanding of the world. They provide an opportunity to explore the depth of one’s convictions, making use of various literary devices and characteristics to convey a sense of authenticity and sincerity. Through the exploration of individual experiences and convictions, these essays aim to connect with readers on a personal and emotional level.

How to Write a This I Believe Essay

Step 1: choose your core belief.

At the heart of your essay lies your core belief. Choose a belief that holds personal significance and represents your worldview. This belief should be something you feel passionately about and can articulate convincingly.

Step 2: Develop a Compelling Context

Create a context for your belief by providing background information. Explain why this belief is important to you and how it has shaped your experiences and outlook on life. A relatable context will engage your readers and make your essay more relatable.

Step 3: Employ Effective Literary Devices

Incorporate literary devices to enhance the impact of your essay. Metaphors, similes, and anecdotes can help convey your belief in a vivid and relatable manner. Consider how these devices can strengthen your narrative and connect with your audience emotionally.

Step 4: Craft a Strong Conclusion

Summarize your belief and its significance in your life, reinforcing the message you want to leave with your readers. Reflect on the journey you’ve taken them on and inspire them to reflect on their own beliefs.

Can I write about a commonly held belief?

Absolutely. While it’s important to maintain authenticity, even exploring a cliché belief can be powerful when you provide a fresh perspective or personal context. Your unique experiences and reflections make your essay stand out.

Can I use proper nouns in my essay?

Yes, proper nouns can add specificity and authenticity to your essay. Mentioning specific places, people, or events can help ground your beliefs in real-world experiences.

This I believe

The personal philosophies of remarkable men and women, by jay allison , dan gediman , and john gregory.

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A collection of eighty essays exploring the personal beliefs of a diverse assortment of contributors, both famous and unknown, who reflect on their faith, the evolution of their beliefs, and how they express them.

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Based on the NPR series of the same name, the bestselling This I Believe features eighty essayists - from the famous to the previously unknown -- completing the thought that begins the book's title. Each piece compels us to rethink not only how we have arrived at our own personal beliefs but also the extent to which we chare them with others. The result is a stirring and provocative trip inside the minds and hearts of a diverse group of people whose beliefs - and the remarkably varied ways in which they choose to express them - reveal the American spirit at its best.

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This I Believe: Created in God’s Image

by Damian Torres-Botello, SJ | Apr 17, 2015 | Justice , Sexuality , Spirituality

God is Love image courtesy Flickr user Nathan Rupert

In a five-part series released the week of March 16th from the National Catholic Reporter, God’s Community in the Castro , a parishioner from San Francisco’s Most Holy Redeemer parish had this to say about his spiritual home: “We don’t see ourselves as a gay community, but rather as a community that’s open to gays…It’s an acceptance and a realization that people feel OK to be who they are that makes this place different.”

For many LGBTQ men and women, The Castro District of San Francisco has been their home where life can be lived with dignity. As NCR reporter Thomas C. Fox points out in this series, Most Holy Redeemer has been the spiritual center for LGBTQ Catholics living in and around this neighborhood. Much of its current history started in the 1980’s when AIDS was taking so many lives. Since then this parish has been the sanctuary for an often neglected and shunned community.

As Catholics, we have a sense of the Church being a truly universal home, a place where all are welcome, as the name Catholic would indicate. Yet within that sense of universality there are many who feel the Church is not a welcoming home for them. Teachers have been terminated from jobs , children with disabilities have been refused sacraments , and many divorced men and women continue to feel unwanted . You don’t have to look hard to find similar stories from African-American Catholics , Latino Catholics , Catholic women , and former Catholics alike. And all of this tension has caused people to leave the church , and in some cases, lose their faith .

Yet here’s the truth I know and believe: I am created in God’s image and likeness, just as God creates us all. It is actually that simple. But sometimes we take that image and likeness and complicate it. That complication created concern for my loved ones as I discerned religious life in 2011 at the age of 33. Some were troubled that I’d find difficulty as a man of color in an ostensibly all-white male order. Others feared I would be forced into the closet after seventeen years of accepting myself as gay. A few friends expressed worry I would not encounter common ground in an order filled with the privileged when I only knew disadvantage. All of their observations and concerns were valid because they not only came from a place of love but through their own experiences as Catholics.

I am more than my skin color, my sexual orientation, and my economic class. It restricts God’s image and likeness if I only see myself as those three aspects. Defining myself purely on what I am limits who I am and how I can be of service. Even allowing these characteristics to dictate my life would prevent me from engaging the world as a wholly integrated human being. Besides, I prayed, and discerned, and made a choice. I made a commitment to live the vows of consecrated chastity, poverty, and obedience because of my belief in Christ, the mission of the Church, and the people of God. I share my struggles openly just as I share my joys. Like my parents did with each other, transparency helps me live my vows honestly so that I am always available to live out my calling as a Jesuit.

That’s the truth that sits within each of us: God made us all in his image and likeness. St. Francis De Sales said, “Be who you are and be that well.” To embrace all that we are – and to embrace each other with that love –  is to embrace that image and likeness; it is to embrace God. 36 years of life and my short time as a Jesuit have confirmed that truth. And so I pray as a Church we discover tender compassion for each other to love the God that dwells in us all.

[Editor’s note: this piece has been updated to correctly identify the author of the National Catholic Reporter series.]

God is Love image courtesy Flickr user Nathan Rupert, found here .

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Damian Torres-Botello, SJ

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Book details

An Athlete of God

A "This I Believe" Essay

This I Believe

Author: Martha Graham; read by the author; Jay Allison and Dan Gediman, eds.

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About this book, book details.

In this essay originally aired in the 1950s, legendary modern dance and ballet choreographer Martha Graham describes for NPR’s This I Believe series what it means to be a dancer, "An Athlete of God". This I Believe is a National Public Radio program that features Americans, from the famous to the unknown, completing the thought that begins with the series title. The pieces that make up the program compel listeners to re-think not only what and how they have arrived at their own personal beliefs, but also the extent to which they share them with others. Featuring a star-studded list of contributors that includes John McCain, Isabel Allende, and Colin Powell, as well as pieces from the original 1950's series including Helen Keller and Jackie Robinson, the This I Believe book collection also contains essays by a Brooklyn lawyer, a woman who sells yellow pages advertising in Fort Worth, TX and a man who serves on the state of Rhode Island's parole board. The result is a stirring, funny and always provocative trip inside the minds and hearts of a diverse group of Americans whose beliefs, and the incredibly varied ways in which they choose to express them, reveal the American spirit at its best. This short audio essay is an excerpt from the audiobook edition of NPR's This I Believe anthology.

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Macmillan Audio

9781427201652

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101 This I Believe Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

"This I Believe" essays are a popular genre in the academic and personal writing world. They allow individuals to reflect on their beliefs, values, and experiences in a concise and engaging manner. If you're looking for some inspiration for your own "This I Believe" essay, here are 101 topic ideas and examples to get you started:

• I believe in the power of kindness.
• I believe in the importance of self-love.
• I believe in the value of hard work.
• I believe in the beauty of diversity.
• I believe in the strength of resilience.
• I believe in the magic of music.
• I believe in the healing power of nature.
• I believe in the importance of education.
• I believe in the power of forgiveness.
• I believe in the importance of empathy.
• I believe in the value of honesty.
• I believe in the power of hope.
• I believe in the importance of family.
• I believe in the beauty of art.
• I believe in the strength of community.
• I believe in the power of perseverance.
• I believe in the importance of gratitude.
• I believe in the value of friendship.
• I believe in the beauty of simplicity.
• I believe in the importance of mindfulness.
• I believe in the power of positivity.
• I believe in the importance of communication.
• I believe in the value of laughter.
• I believe in the beauty of love.
• I believe in the strength of faith.
• I believe in the power of creativity.
• I believe in the importance of integrity.
• I believe in the value of curiosity.
• I believe in the beauty of vulnerability.
• I believe in the strength of courage.
• I believe in the importance of authenticity.
• I believe in the value of compassion.
• I believe in the beauty of acceptance.
• I believe in the strength of self-expression.
• I believe in the power of self-reflection.
• I believe in the importance of self-care.
• I believe in the value of independence.
• I believe in the beauty of solitude.
• I believe in the strength of teamwork.
• I believe in the power of imagination.
• I believe in the importance of discipline.
• I believe in the value of responsibility.
• I believe in the beauty of freedom.
• I believe in the power of change.
• I believe in the importance of adaptability.
• I believe in the value of balance.
• I believe in the beauty of imperfection.
• I believe in the strength of vulnerability.
• I believe in the power of self-awareness.
• I believe in the importance of self-compassion.
• I believe in the value of self-acceptance.
• I believe in the beauty of growth.
• I believe in the strength of transformation.
• I believe in the importance of resilience.
• I believe in the value of perseverance.
• I believe in the beauty of forgiveness.
• I believe in the strength of love.
• I believe in the power of gratitude.
• I believe in the value of kindness.
• I believe in the strength of unity.
• I believe in the importance of trust.
• I believe in the beauty of authenticity.
• I believe in the strength of integrity.
• I believe in the power of communication.
• I believe in the importance of collaboration.
• I believe in the value of teamwork.
• I believe in the beauty of creativity.
• I believe in the strength of innovation.
• I believe in the power of education.
• I believe in the importance of lifelong learning.
• I believe in the value of critical thinking.
• I believe in the beauty of curiosity.
• I believe in the power of adaptability.
• I believe in the importance of flexibility.
• I believe in the value of patience.
• I believe in the beauty of perseverance.
• I believe in the strength of determination.
• I believe in the power of self-discipline.
• I believe in the importance of self-control.
• I believe in the value of self-improvement.
• I believe in the beauty of self-care.
• I believe in the strength of self-love.
• I believe in the power of self-acceptance.
• I believe in the importance of self-awareness.
• I believe in the value of self-reflection.
• I believe in the beauty of self-discovery.
• I believe in the power of self-confidence.
• I believe in the importance of self-respect.
• I believe in the value of self-esteem.
• I believe in the beauty of self-compassion.
• I believe in the strength of self-empowerment.
• I believe in the power of self-actualization.

These are just a few examples of the many topics that you could explore in your own "This I Believe" essay. Remember, the key to a successful essay is to choose a topic that is meaningful to you and to communicate your beliefs with honesty and clarity. Good luck!

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As a new remote worker, I spent 3 years searching for the ‘perfect’ city — and finally found it

It was the end of another summer, and I was exactly where I'd been three years before. I’d spent those years searching for our next home, sifting the pros and cons of some 40 cities in the process while real estate prices around the country skyrocketed. I was out of ideas. What once seemed like a blessing — being able to choose where I wanted to live — now felt like a burden. And yet I couldn’t give up.

Like plenty of adults, where I lived was always tied to where I worked. Our first apartment after college was in the city where my husband happened to land a job. The next city? Another job. Those were the rules. 

Then we both started working remote five years ago, and the rules changed. It was like the world opened up. For the first time, we could live wherever we wanted (at least, in the U.S. since we both work for U.S. employers). Any city, ours for the choosing … but which one?

And so began a multi-year search for where to live — an agonizing, arduous yet blithely optimistic quest for not just any city, but the perfect city.

I can’t be the only person obsessed with this. Searches for “ best city in the U.S. ” have tripled in the past five years, correlating with the rise in people working from home . Then there’s the bevy of annual “top places to live” lists that roam the internet. Livability , Money , Niche and Rocket Homes each recommend the best cities to settle down in, all with comforting data-backed analyses that I didn’t look too deep into, opting instead for browsing the listicles with their dazzling array of choices. Covington, Kentucky. Boulder, Colorado. Madison, Wisconsin. There are even curated lists for families (ask Fortune ) and young professionals ( Forbes has the scoop). I scoured them all with type A enthusiasm, certain the answer to my geographic dilemma was behind the next click.

After all, I didn’t want much. Just affordability, diversity, good weather, low crime, plenty of parks and bike trails, a strong job market, cultural opportunities and easy access to other cities and countries. Totally reasonable.

But for three years, I couldn’t find anything better than where I was. At the time we were based in Tampa, a metro area that pops up all over those “best city” lists. When people asked me why I wanted to move, I struggled to put it into words. But I felt it every time I looked out my living room window at those shadeless palm trees — like living in a postcard of last year’s summer vacation.

I can easily tell you all the reasons Tampa is an amazing place to live. It has a vibrant food and arts scene, no snow, no state income tax, and Disney World and award-winning beaches practically in your backyard. It should have been perfect, but it was never home. Like when you’re dating someone who’s smart and funny and nice and everything but, somehow, not for you.

Each year, I said this would be the year we moved. Each year, I renewed our lease, doubling down on my hunt for perfection. I looked at cities in Washington with great hiking nearby, but they were out of budget. I considered various cities in Indiana and Ohio for their low cost of living but ultimately discarded the entire Midwest (my apologies to all Midwesterners) as too remote for our tastes. We drove up to Tennessee (twice) and Georgia, flew to Oklahoma City, and visited every major city in Florida with a population over 100,000. Nothing fit. I briefly contemplated getting a life coach to talk us through it until the $6,000 price tag quoted on a Zoom call nearly knocked me off my kitchen table chair.

Then, on a whim last November, we took a weekend trip to Raleigh, North Carolina. I had decided to write a story on things to see and do in town. Fall color was at its peak — reds and golds I seldom saw, brightening the parks and greenways. We explored, ate locally sourced food and went for walks in the faint autumn crispness, just brisk enough to flirt with the idea of a sweater. Somehow, I knew I’d found it. Home. We moved to Raleigh this spring.

And we love it. Raleigh is the Goldilocks of American cities, a term I heard from one local that sums it up to a tee. Not too big or too small. Not too hot or cold. In between the mountains and the ocean. Progressive and diverse, yet surrounded by small towns and farmland. Of course, the city isn’t without downsides: soaring summer humidity, higher taxes than Florida, and honestly, I’d prefer those mountain waterfalls a couple hours closer. But all things taken together, like in the fairy tale, it’s just right.

I’d like to say it was careful analysis that got us here. Sure, I checked the stats: home prices, average temps, crime rate and the number of international destinations with direct flights from the Raleigh-Durham airport (nine, if you’re curious). And it’s true Raleigh comes in sixth in the recently released Best Places to Live list from U.S. News & World Report — third last year when I was still searching.

But it’s not about that. What I was looking for wasn’t ever going to rank in a spreadsheet. It’s more elusive yet, paradoxically, more tangible. It’s the summer sunflower fields and the university that makes its own ice cream and the grazing horses I pass on my drive in, even though we’re only 15 minutes from downtown. It’s leaving behind those relentless palm trees, trading up for the sprawling shady oaks that give the capital its understated nickname, City of Oaks.

Perhaps it’s not perfect. But it’s perfect for us, for right now, and that’s enough.

Cheryl Rodewig is an award-winning journalist and marketer. When she’s not planning her next trip, she’s helping brands tell their stories. Her words have appeared in AARP, USA Today, The Guardian, Fodor’s, Thrillist and all over cherylrodewig.com . She loves it when people reach out on X and Instagram . 

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A Prayer for God to Ease My Heartache - Your Daily Prayer - September 8

A Prayer for God to Ease My Heartache By Kristine Brown

Bible Reading “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” - Psalm 147:3 , ESV

I am writing this devotion and prayer today from the depths of a broken heart. Another birthday came and went, and as I looked back on the past 365 days, I was reminded of a sobering truth. This has been a hard year. So, I’ve been sitting with God and thinking about the words in today’s verse. I’m asking him to show me what those words mean for me in the midst of my heartbreak, and in the silence, I sense a gentle reminder from God that he is here and willing to walk me through it. 

Heartache can make us feel lonely as if no one cares or understands what we’re going through. Those negative thoughts mislead us into thinking God isn’t there, and we are left to struggle alone. But the soul-satisfying truth is that God wants to see us whole. He is a God who heals, comforts, and restores our brokenness. I, for one, have been lured by negative thoughts when my heart is breaking. There have been days when I woke up wanting to be by myself, so I pushed God and everyone else away. Pretty soon, I blamed others for my loneliness, convincing myself I was better off in solitude and that things would never get better. That’s why I am finding such encouragement in Psalm 147 . 

The psalmist speaks of how great our God is and how he abundantly blesses his hurting people. He proclaims how “God is abundant in power, and his understanding is beyond measure.” ( Psalm 147:5 ) We need God’s understanding in abundance, because in our pain, we may be tempted to lash out toward him or the people in our lives who just want to help. Thankfully, our loving God longs for us to bring our heartache to him and trust him with our deepest wounds.

Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” This is such a soothing promise for times when we feel saturated with grief that it seems like nothing will help the pain.

The theme of today’s key verse can be found in other places in Scripture, as well. Psalm 34:18 reinforces how God will ease our heartache by reminding us, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Still, the hard reality is, when I’m experiencing heartache, sometimes the last thing I think to do is open my Bible. It’s like a battle rages between my spirit that wants more of God and my feelings that want to linger in the sadness. Yet I press on. Because I’m learning, the more time I spend reading God’s Word, the more I will remember to turn to it when heartache happens. So friend, let’s mark Psalm 147 in our Bibles right now. Let’s grab a sticky note, a bookmark, or save a screenshot of it on our phones if that’s where we read it most. Then the next time we find ourselves deep in the throes of heartache, we will know exactly where to turn. God is ready and waiting for us to come to him for healing. 

Let’s pray: Dear God, My heart aches as I think about everything that has happened in my life recently. Sometimes I question where you are and why you would allow such hurt. Forgive me for blaming you for my broken heart. Forgive me for not bringing my hurt to you sooner. Help me sense your presence here in the midst of my heartache and remind me of your comfort and faithfulness. Father, your Word tells me you will “heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds.” I am bringing my wounded heart to you because I need healing. There is no one else who is able to heal, comfort and restore my brokenness. Thank you for your understanding and how you pour out blessings in abundance. I rejoice in you, my Healer and Restorer. I trust you to ease my heartache and give me renewed joy and hope. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/TinnakornJorruang

Related Resource: Remember God's Enduring Love for You in this Guided Meditation on Psalm 100!

This guided Christian meditation from Psalm 100 will help you experience and praise God for his unending love for you. Become aware of God’s presence with you, and praise God for his loyal and enduring love from the beginning of time and into the future. Listen to every episode of the   So Much More Podcast  on LifeAudio.com , or subscribe on Apple   or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Now that you've prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below!

Visit  iBelieve.com  for more inspiring prayer content.

Originally published Sunday, 08 September 2024.

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An athlete of god.

Martha Graham

In seven decades as a dancer and choreographer, Martha Graham created 181 ballets. A pioneer of modern dance, she is known for her collaborations with artists, including composer Aaron Copland with whom she created Appalachian Spring . Carl Van Vechten/Library of Congress hide caption

In seven decades as a dancer and choreographer, Martha Graham created 181 ballets. A pioneer of modern dance, she is known for her collaborations with artists, including composer Aaron Copland with whom she created Appalachian Spring .

This essay aired circa 1953 .

I believe that we learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. In each, it is the performance of a dedicated precise set of acts, physical or intellectual, from which comes shape of achievement, a sense of one's being, a satisfaction of spirit. One becomes, in some area, an athlete of God.

Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired.

I think the reason dance has held such an ageless magic for the world is that it has been the symbol of the performance of living. Many times I hear the phrase "the dance of life." It is close to me for a very simple and understandable reason. The instrument through which the dance speaks is also the instrument through which life is lived: the human body. It is the instrument by which all the primaries of experience are made manifest. It holds in its memory all matters of life and death and love.

Dancing appears glamorous, easy, delightful. But the path to the paradise of that achievement is not easier than any other. There is fatigue so great that the body cries, even in its sleep. There are times of complete frustration; there are daily small deaths. Then I need all the comfort that practice has stored in my memory and a tenacity of faith. But it must be the kind of faith that Abraham had, wherein he "staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief."

It takes about 10 years to make a mature dancer. The training is twofold. There is the study and practice of the craft in order to strengthen the muscular structure of the body. The body is shaped, disciplined, honored and in time, trusted. The movement becomes clean, precise, eloquent, truthful. Movement never lies. It is a barometer telling the state of the soul's weather to all who can read it. This might be called the law of the dancer's life -- the law which governs its outer aspects.

Then there is the cultivation of the being. It is through this that the legends of the soul's journey are re-told with all their gaiety and their tragedy and the bitterness and sweetness of living. It is at this point that the sweep of life catches up the mere personality of the performer and while the individual (the undivided one), becomes greater, the personal becomes less personal. And there is grace. I mean the grace resulting from faith: faith in life, in love, in people and in the act of dancing. All this is necessary to any performance in life which is magnetic, powerful, rich in meaning.

In a dancer there is a reverence for such forgotten things as the miracle of the small beautiful bones and their delicate strength. In a thinker there is a reverence for the beauty of the alert and directed and lucid mind. In all of us who perform there is an awareness of the smile which is part of the equipment, or gift, of the acrobat. We have all walked the high wire of circumstance at times. We recognize the gravity pull of the earth as he does. The smile is there because he is practicing living at that instant of danger. He does not choose to fall.

More 'This I Believe' Essays

This i believe, rick moody: the joy and enthusiasm of reading, azar nafisi: mysterious connections that link us together, helen hayes: a morning prayer in a little church, related npr stories, martha graham dancers return to the stage, alvin ailey's dance troupe at 45, performing arts, paul taylor: a dance legend who still finds new directions.