This I Believe

When I say I believe, I usually mean “I know” sometimes when I say I believe, I mean “I think”, then again, often when I say I believe, I actually mean “I hope”.

Usually when I say I believe I mean I know. I know that the sky is blue. I know that if I don’t express emotion or thoughts about particular topics in my life periodically, I’ll end up losing my sanity. I know that if I don’t get a certain number of hours of sleep, I’m very irritable and unpleasant to everyone I come in contact with. I know I need to complain less and thank more. But how can I do that when people expect so much from me, using me as a personal therapist, accountant, or assistant? These are some of the things I know.

At other times when I say I believe, I mean I think. I think I look good in the color red. Sometimes I think eating a piece of cheesecake is a great substitute for sex. I think my figure suits a pair of slacks more than a dress or skirt. I think that stating my opinion about pretentious people not impressing me is something that all should hear. These are some of the things I think.

Most often I mean I hope when I say I believe. I hope to pass all my courses this semester with decent grades. I hope to save enough money over the summer so I won’t be struggling next year. I hope the job offer I received for after graduation was not a teaser. I hope that some will learn not to take others for granted, as I most often am. Like the popular saying goes “do on to others as you want done on to you”.

I know, I think, I hope; therefore, I believe.