“Nothing endures but change,” said Greek philosopher Heraclitus. It’s the beginning of a new year, a fresh start, and for some, a time to make resolutions. However great or small, deciding to make changes in our lives can be powerful, and for these essayists, making a change also brought about a new core belief.
When we are young, it is the receiving of gifts that brings excitement and joy. As we get older, we learn the truth behind the adage that it is better to give than to receive. In this season of giving, the essayists below share their beliefs on the importance of giving to others. Wishing you the season’s best from This I Believe.
Home can be the house we grew up in, the town where we live, or where our hearts are. However you define home, it is a powerful force in our lives, especially during the holidays. Click the links below to read how these essayists have been inspired by their homes around the holidays.
It was this week 78 years ago, immediately after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, that the United States entered what would later be known as World War II. How did the War and the experiences of combat shape the beliefs of those men who served? Find out in these essays broadcast in Edward R. Murrow’s This I Believe series from the early 1950s.
Just two little words, “thank” and “you,” when used together, can convey so much. From small expressions of gratitude to someone who served you lunch, to making the time to send a handwritten note, the following people believe in the power of saying “thank you.”
Baking from scratch is a process that demands time and precision, and it’s a task that some people bypass by heading straight for the bakery section of the supermarket. But is there more to baking than the final iced or sliced product? These essayists have found that the process of baking yields more than just something delicious to eat.
There is perhaps no time that belief is more emphatically tested and acted upon than in times of war or conflict. To commemorate Veterans Day, we feature men and women who have served our country in the military. Click the links below to hear about their experiences and their beliefs. And visit our special collection of essays by those who have served our country.
Home can be the house we grew up in, the town where we live, or where our hearts are. However you define home, it is a powerful force in our lives, one that can be a foundation for lifelong beliefs. Click the links below to read how these essayists have been inspired by their homes.
Many people say that listening to music is a very important part of their lives. And those who make music feel even stronger about its power to move them. For both famous musicians and the person sitting in the cubicle next to you, music can inspire some powerful beliefs.
Whether you think life is a highway, or you prefer the road less taken, maps can help us determine where we are and how to get where we want to go. Click the links below to explore how the beliefs of these essayists have been influenced by maps, both physical and imagined.
Will Thomas had planned to give up on America and move to Haiti after putting up with decades of bigotry and injustice toward African Americans. Then he decided to give the country one more chance, moving his family to an all-white town in Vermont. Click here to read his essay.
