Many say that teaching is the most noble profession in the world. And a lot of teachers also say it’s the world’s hardest. Teaching can be fun and invigorating, challenging and exhausting, all at the same time. To celebrate National Education Week, click the links below to learn how teaching has inspired lifelong beliefs for these essayists.
How do you react when a jury summons arrives in your mailbox? Do you dread the thought of sitting in the jury pool, or do you welcome the opportunity to play a crucial role in our system of justice? Click the links below to discover what these essayists believe about jury duty.
There have been many revolutionary developments in the world of science in the last 100 years. And This I Believe essayists from both the 1950s and today have been at the forefront of some of the most life-changing discoveries in their lifetimes. From Albert Einstein to Brian Greene, click the links below to read the beliefs of these scientists.
Most elementary school children take art and music lessons during the school day; however, when budget cuts are necessary, these classes are the first to go. And, after primary school, many children don’t have any creative outlet at all. Click the links below to learn why these essayists believe in the importance of creativity.
In Philadelphia, an idea was born more than sixty years ago, and it still endures today. At a local Philadelphia radio station in the early 1950s, the idea for This I Believe was born. The international project engaging people in writing, sharing, and discussing their core values has its roots in a place that values optimism, community, and the brotherhood of man. Click the links below to learn the beliefs of these Philadelphians.
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 the links below to read how these essayists seek to exercise true tolerance and acceptance in their lives.
The long, lazy days of summer are a paradise for the young and the young at heart. From hanging out with friends, to summer jobs, to summer camp, it’s a time to explore, have fun, and maybe create a little mischief. Click the links below to read what these teens (and a few adults recalling their youth) think about the magic of summer.
When the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, they pledged their belief that all human beings are born with the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Many essayists for This I Believe share that dedication to the principles on which our country was created. Click the links below to see how these essayists explore their beliefs in freedom, democracy, and liberty.
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 through poetry.
Even if the last time you thought about poetry was in high school, you probably have a favorite poem. Perhaps you can even recite it. To celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture, schools, libraries, booksellers, and poets throughout the U.S. come together every April to celebrate this written art form. 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.
Rebecca Haynes, a former park ranger, believes that her life is made better by being part of a local community and a local environment, whether in a small town, a big city, or the wilds of the Sonoran Desert. Click here to read her essay.
