This I Believe

One of my classes recently gave us the assignment to write an Essay "This I Believe" patterned after the NPR essays. I thought everyone might be interested in reading my essay.

This I Believe

I believe I can change for the better. Every day I’m faced with weakness and folly in my own behavior, but I am dynamic. I can improve. I can cope with my weakness.

I believe in an ultimately good character. I believe that integrity, chastity, charity, humility and faith are ideals worth striving for. In my daily walk I can find violations of these principles, but never without regret. I believe that the closer I come to personifying these principles, the happier I become.

I believe in prayer. I am lost without the hand of God guiding my life. He remains close to him when I pray for aid, and so I pray always. When I am faced with large decisions and trivial decision I seek his counsel. When I am faced with big hurt and small I seek his comfort. The more I seek him, the sooner he is to say “Here I am.”

I believe in forgiveness. Jesus Christ is the power of change within the souls of men. I have felt guilt swept away by the power of his love. In sincere repentance I have found peace. I have gained ground in the war for my soul.

Further, I believe in forgiving. I have felt hate and anger dissipate before the warmth of forgiving others. Pain mitigated and eventually healed by simply letting go.

I believe in others. I give my trust and love readily. I have been hurt much by others, but the joy of loving and finding love in return is worth all such hurts.

We all can change for the better. We all deserve the chance to change. Change is the miracle of humanity.