This I Believe…
I believe that experience comes with age, but maturity and responsibility doesn’t come with either. I believe that when we choose not to listen we deprive ourselves of learning. I believe that every stormy cloud has a silver lining and that I can be my own umbrellas, or someone else’s when I choose to be. I believe what doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger, and that without the pain and disturbing presence of hard times, I wouldn’t be able to fully appreciate the pleasure of the good ones. I believe that I as a person can change my views, habits, and the way I operate, but at my core my past deeds, experiences, and traits are forever imprinted in me like scars permanent on the flesh, so are the emotional struggles on my heart and soul. I believe in being the best I can be, always striving to improve regardless of whether or not I can ever be the best around. I believe in contributing to the world in the smallest of ways, such as educating misguided youths that are stuck in the mentality I used to condone so that they don’t ruin their lives the way I almost did. I believe that dependent on the seriousness of circumstances, forgiveness is possible, but not forgetfulness, otherwise, I believe in an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, and that only the victim should be able to settle the imbalance, and if they cease to exist the injustice should be left for a higher power to deal with. I believe that there should be order in humanity and society alike, even if it can never be equal, and even if authority must exist, society shouldn’t allow humans such as those in government to play god by taking the lives of those who perpetrate crimes that seem unforgivable like murder. I believe that life in prison with little or no medical treatment, having no control, and being fed substandard food in poor living conditions is the harshest way to be punished. And that the death penalty is painless and somewhat humane, often being the government’s poor excuse too decrease overpopulation in the system and please the victim’s families. I believe the government is corrupt only because citizens let it be that way, that they are manipulated by fear and false hopes that someone will change things for them in an impartial, supportive presidency that is ever-changing in a hierarchy that never changes. I believe that if the children are our future, we should let them be children and stop giving them so much freedom of choice that they choose not too listen to us. I believe that by giving them cell-phones, letting them use the computer all day, play video games that have curse words in them, wear make-up at very young ages and educating them through raunchy music and animated movies riddled with adult humor we send the message that it’s o.k. to talk and act as we do. I believe we set a new standard in modern times, which is the wrong kind and that it downplays our roles as adults. I believe I will never be able to accept death peacefully until I can find something to really live for, whether that is a purpose or a person, or maybe something else. I have many beliefs, but unfortunately life is too short, and I would rather live them than list them all.