This I Believe

This I Believe

As a child I was one of seven, lost somewhere in the middle. I was a very shy, and as a teen, a very angry child who was never allowed to simply slip into obscurity due to very bright, copper colored hair and very definite opinions that had a great need to be voiced. The combination caused my childhood and teen years to be very challenging both to those around me and to myself. I learned first hand how cruel children could be to anyone who is the slightest bit different. I made up my mind quite early that I would never allow other’s opinions of me to mold me into what they thought I should be.

Over the years I somehow managed to develop self-esteem and eventually success in my chosen field though, at times, the cost was very high emotionally. I refused to be a statistic and worked hard to become the person I am today. It was these early experiences that helped me to define beliefs and values that remain an important part of my life.

Because of the emotional pain suffered by that young, angry and shy redheaded child that I was, today I am a staunch defender of those who may be less fortunate. I believe that every person on this planet deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. I believe there are none who are greater or lesser than another and that my worth as an individual can only be defined by my actions. I believe there are great deeds more than great people and words come much easier than actions but it is only actions that truly count.

I believe that whatever I put into this world is what I receive in return. I try to keep this in this in the forefront of my mind every day. When I look for the goodness in people, I see the goodness and am encouraged to express my own goodness. When I look for the bad in people this I also find and I find myself expressing a negative part of myself, a part I do not care for.

I believe there is balance in our world whether I readily see it or not. I believe that with every act of violence or war in this world, there is a corresponding act of love and kindness if I would simply look for it.

Finally, I believe life is a series of choices that I make every day of my life. Each day I can choose happiness and abundance or I can choose limitation and negativity. I choose happiness and abundance. I choose to see the best in people and believe that people are inherently good. Happiness spawns more happiness, love spawns love. That is what I choose for myself.