In honor of mothers everywhere—new mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, adoptive mothers, and mothers-in-law—we say thank you. As it turns out, a lot of people write This I Believe essays about the mother-child relationship, and we are happy to feature a handful this week. Click the links below to learn how motherhood inspires a wealth of beliefs.
Many parents can remember a specific moment when they had the thought, “What do I tell the kids?” Whether it’s talking about death and illness, dating and sex, or “bad guys” in the world, deciding when and how to talk to children is a delicate balancing act every parent must perform at one time or another. Click below to read essays based on a belief in being honest with children.
Whether a sonnet, a haiku, or free verse, poetry is a distillation of language that reveals the very essence of an idea or emotion. In celebration of National Poetry Month, we hope you’ll click the links below to read how these essayists have found their beliefs in poetry.
It’s National Library Week, in which we celebrate the power of the printed word to change individual lives. When we collect those words into books, and amass those books into libraries, there is a force that can change communities and societies. Click the links below to explore what these essayists believe about libraries and the books within them.
In the U.S., the national Days of Remembrance serve to commemorate the Holocaust, and this year’s Holocaust remembrance week is April 7–14. In commemoration, we highlight several essayists who have written about their personal experiences or those of family members during the Holocaust. Click the links below to learn how the events of the Holocaust shaped their lives and their beliefs.
Nearly one-third of all school-aged children are bullied in America each year, and statistics show those who have been bullied suffer lower grades, self-esteem, and self-confidence. For the essayists below, being bullied—or even witnessing bullying—became a springboard for change in their lives.
In today’s culture, little girls grow up watching movies about beautiful princesses, enchanted frogs, and the perfect kiss. But not everyone is waiting for a handsome prince to create the perfect fairy tale life. Click the links below to see how these essayists have created their own definitions of “happily ever after.”
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This week marks the beginning of spring, and many gardeners have begun to plant seeds indoors in anticipation of the coming warmer days. For the essayists below, planting seeds—real or imagined—helps them look to a future harvest.
The U.S. Postal Service will soon end Saturday mail delivery in response to the decreased mailing habits of the digital age. But for many people, sending a postcard from vacation, selecting stationery for the perfect thank you note, or waiting by the mailbox for a “real” letter just can’t be matched. Click the links below to read what these essayists believe about the importance of hand-written correspondence.
When Kara Gebhart Uhl was faced with a decision of being honest or being kind, she chose to be honest. Later, she came to believe that it's possible to be both at the same time. Listen to her essay here.
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Behind Bars
This I Believe has reached into many classrooms—including some located within county jails and state prisons. Incarceration provides ample time to consider one’s beliefs, and a number of prisoners have shared their essays with us. Click the links below for a sampling.