What is This I Believe?
What is This I Believe?
This I Believe is an international project engaging people in writing, sharing, and discussing the core values that guide their daily lives. These short statements of belief, written by people from all walks of life, are archived here and featured on public radio in the United States and Canada, as well as in regular broadcasts on NPR. The project is based on the popular 1950s radio series of the same name hosted by Edward R. Murrow.

Featured Essay
Pathways of Desire
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Gina Parosa believes in letting her kids, pets, and livestock make their own paths in life. But she also realizes that as a farmer and parent, she sometimes has to step in and set good boundaries—while still being flexible enough to change them. |

Shop for Gifts While Supporting This I Believe
This I Believe books and audiobooks make wonderful gifts for friends and loved-ones. And when you purchase these items through the This I Believe Shop, you'll be supporting the mission of This I Believe to engage people around the world in writing and sharing their core beliefs.

Special Feature: 2008 in Review
With the arrival of the New Year, we are looking back and taking stock of the old year. 2008 included some wonderful essays about life, love, war, family, creativity and more. We hope you enjoy revisiting some of the beliefs presented in the past year.
- The Long Road to Forgiveness
- I Am Capable of More Than I Think I Am
- Finding the Flexibility to Survive
- The Power of Hello
- We All Need Mending
- The Key to a Long Life
Click here to read previous Special Features

The Essay Shuffle
A random selection of interesting essays that may inspire you to write your own.
- Christmas Greetings from Spivey Mountain
- A Life of Improvisation
- The Circle Is Now Complete
- Real Christmas Trees
- The Very Definition of Family
- Search our essay database—Browse through the tens of thousands of other essays that have been submitted to This I Believe.

The History of This I Believe
At the dawn of the Cold War and the height of McCarthyism, Americans from all walks of life bravely spoke their beliefs on the original This I Believe. Now, a new documentary tells the fascinating history of the series hosted by Edward R. Murrow. Listen to the program including essays by Harry Truman, Margaret Mead, William O. Douglas, Eleanor Roosevelt, Albert Einstein and other prominent figures of the day.


