A public dialogue about belief — one essay at a time

Throughout the school year, young people around the world write statements of belief as a classroom exercise. And thousands of those students have submitted their essays to our series. Click here to read a sampling of what young people believe.

 

 

As children, we’re taught to be wary of strangers. But random encounters with people we don’t know can lead to surprising insights about others and opportunities to learn more about ourselves. Click here to read this selection of essays about life lessons learned from strangers.

 

 

Sometimes a goodbye is a casual comment to a colleague we’ll see tomorrow. Other times we say farewell to a loved one we’ll never see again. The moments of transition that we mark with a see you soon, a goodbye, or a farewell can leave a lasting impression on a person. Click here to read how these essayists have been inspired by saying goodbye.

 

In the heated debates over political policy, it’s easy to forget that America is largely a nation of immigrants. For those who came to this country from distant lands generations ago, to the recently naturalized citizen, the American dream is a powerful draw for people around the world. Click here to learn the beliefs that immigration has inspired in these essayists.

 

Just like in the United States, teachers in China have asked their students to write This I Believe essays. The hopes and passions of these students are evident, even as they write in a second language. Click here to learn what these Chinese students believe.

 

 

 

Each year, the U.S. marks the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on his birthday. We offer a sampling of statements from essayists who were influenced by King’s work and words — both by people who witnessed his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, to those who were simply inspired by it. Click here to read how these essayists were moved by Dr. King.

 

The French writer Voltaire called tolerance a “consequence of humanity” and the first law of nature. Yet some of us practice it more successfully than others. Click here to read how these essayists seek to exercise true tolerance and acceptance in their lives.

 

 

The celebration of quinceañera is a tradition among people of Latin American heritage that marks a 15-year-old girl’s transition from childhood to womanhood. The festivities can include a religious ceremony, elaborate gowns and tuxedoes, a lavish party, and a special dance of the quinceañera and her court. Such a major turning-point in a young girl’s life can evoke a range of emotions and inspire a number of beliefs. Click here to read what these essayists feel about this important rite of passage.
 
 

As fall is around the corner with cooler days and turning leaves, it’s a perfect time for a hike among the trees. Whether for pleasure, exercise, or solitude, a walk in the woods can also inspire belief. Click here to learn what our essayists discovered out in nature.

 

 

What makes you happy? Is it the attainment of the latest gadgets or a new, bigger car? How about getting a raise at work or winning the lottery? Does money really make us happy? Click here to read how these essayists feel about finding happiness with what they have.

 

 

It's amazing the effect that one simple act of kindness can have both on the giver and the receiver. Greeting a stranger with "hello" or letting a fellow driver merge ahead of you may not change the world, but it can make living in that particular moment more pleasant. Click here to read some meditations on kindness.