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Essay of the Week
Inspired by the generosity of his parents, University of Louisville sociology professor Charles H. Parrish believed in the importance of helping others and always looking for the good in people. By doing so, Parrish said we can catch a vision of God. From Edward R. Murrow's 1950s This I Believe series. Click here to read her essay.
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What Students Believe
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.
Special Features
Published May 16, 2016
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.
Grief
Published May 9, 2016
At times of loss, feelings of grief can be overwhelming. But from the crucible of that pain, we can learn more about ourselves, and about how we want to continue living in the world. Click the links below to read what these essayists discovered about the grief they experienced.
Teachers
Published April 25, 2016
Thousands of teachers across America have asked their students to write This I Believe essays. In the process, many of those teachers have written their own statements of belief. In spite of the challenges, these educators say teaching is more than a job: it is a calling, a gift and the source of unwavering belief. Click the links below to read what they believe.
Nurses
Published April 18, 2016
They work long hours performing tasks many of us wouldn’t want to do. They are present during moments of tragedy and joy. And, when we need medical care, they are often the first and last people we see. Click the links below to explore the beliefs of nurses in hospitals, in battle, and at school.
A Calling to Medicine
Published April 11, 2016
For thousands of years, men and women have chosen to become healers. Some of them have chosen to take the Hippocratic Oath and become physicians. Below, you will find essays from several of them, including some from the 1950s This I Believe series.
Gardening
Published April 4, 2016
Spring is here and all over the country, gardeners are beginning to start planting their gardens, or at very least start planning what they are going to plant. But more than flowers and vegetables emerge from the soil. Beliefs can grow there, too. Click the links below to read how gardening has inspired these essayists.
A Place Called Heaven
Published March 28, 2016
Is there such a place? What is it like, and who might be there? Questions about heaven have occupied the minds of people for generations. In pondering these questions many of our essayists have found a belief that brings them hope and comfort. Click the links below to explore a sampling of thoughts about heaven.
Super Tuesday
Published March 1, 2016
In the U.S., today is known as Super Tuesday, a day when citizens of 13 states and one territory go to the polls in the presidential primaries. Today we are showcasing the This I Believe essays of seven individuals who have run for president of the United States.
Gray Hair and Wrinkles
Published February 22, 2016
There is much to be said about youthful exuberance and being young at heart. However, many people find that aging brings a certain kind of wisdom, peace of mind, and certainty of self. Click the links below to read how some essayists feel about growing older.
The Year In Review—2015
Published January 4, 2016
It’s the beginning of a new year, and we at This I Believe are looking back at some of the most inspiring personal stories we featured in 2015. Click on the links below to revisit some of the most memorable essays from last year.