When we share a hug with another person, we may not think about just how much it means. More than a quick handshake or saying “hello,” a hug conveys affection, acceptance, or empathy without saying a word. Click the links below to read how these essayists feel about the meaning behind a hug.

1. A Healing Hug
2. Hug It Out
3. Grace Is a Gift
4. First Friend
5. The Power of Holding On

When is the last time you laughed? Really laughed? Were you watching a funny movie or listening to a great joke? Sometimes a good laugh comes during times of happiness and light, and sometimes it is most welcome during dark times. Read the essays below to find how these people discovered a belief in laughter.

1. Follow the Laughter
2. Life Is Wonderfully Ridiculous
3. A Personalized Laugh Track
4. Find a Reason to Laugh
5. The Many Gifts of Laughter

Some of us are gearing up for summer vacation as July 4th approaches.  And the cashiers, clerks, and servers you encounter at your destination probably hope you’ll give some thought as to who they are and what they believe. Click the links below for a sampling.

1. Now That’s Service
2. A Transaction Between Fellow Citizens
3. What I Can Change
4. A New Work Ethic
5. Please Return Your Shopping Cart

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.

1. To Dwell in Possibility
2. I Am Home
3. The Place I Call Home
4. The Old Neighborhood
5. Home Is Where the Heart Is

For this Father’s Day, we offer the following selection of essays about fatherhood—from being a father, to the relationship with our fathers. Click the links below to learn how these essayists have been inspired by the diverse range of experiences related to the father-child relationship. You can find these and other essays celebrating dads in our book, This I Believe: On Fatherhood.

1. Appreciating the Moment
2. The Choice to Do It Over Again
3. When Angels Miss
4. Finding a Different Way
5. A Love Beyond Boundaries

It may not yet be summer on the calendar, but the pools are open, school is out (or almost!), and the days are getting longer. With a two-month break from the responsibilities of school, it could be argued that no one appreciates summer more than teenagers. Click the links below to read what these teens believe about the magic of summer.

1. The Beauty of Summer Nights
2. An Escape from Normal Life
3. Summer Love
4. A Summer Breeze
5. The Endless Possibilities of Summer

Most people can remember receiving words of advice from their parents—whether they asked for it or not. And, even if we did not heed the advice we were given, there is often truth in the words our parents wanted to share to guide us in our lives. Click on the links below to learn more about the wisdom learned from listening to one’s parents.

1. The Power of Hello
2. Always Go to the Funeral
3. Work Is a Blessing
4. Mom’s Everyday Advice
5. A Father’s Lectures
6. The Lawn Is Life

The emotional and physical demands of providing care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease can be exhausting. But through that crucible, people may find that a fundamental belief comes into sharp focus. Click the links below to read what these essayists have learned while caring for someone with Alzheimer’s.

1. Don’t Tell Me How Rocky the Sea Is…
2. At Moni’s Grill
3. Family First
4. Doing Your Duty with Love
5. Gazing into the Face of Death

May is Asian-Pacific Heritage Month—a celebration of the rich history of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Click on the links below to read more from those whose Asian heritage has formed a foundation for their core beliefs.

1. The Long Road to Forgiveness
2. Big Thinking
3. A Musician of Many Cultures
4. Here Comes (the Real) Santa Claus
5. A Duty to Family, Heritage, and Country
6. Finding Prosperity by Feeding Monkeys
7. A Mark in History
8. Rice for Thanksgiving
9. Mother Tongue

Most people can probably make a quick list of books that have had a deep impact on their lives. And one of those books on a lot of those lists is To Kill a Mockingbird. Click on the links below to read more about how this classic book has had an impact on these readers.

1. Unhardened Hearts
2. Lessons from the Mockingbird
3. I Believe in Atticus Finch
4. Other People’s Shoes
5. The Power of Literature