This I Believe - A New Tradition

Tuesday, December 22, 2009
I'm a big fan of This I Believe. My Hot Sister gave me one of the books for Christmas several years ago, and I subsequently subscribed to the NPR Podcast. When that was canceled, I subscribed to the independent Podcast, which includes not only essays from the 21st century run of the initiative, but also selections from the initial 1950's broadcast by Edward R. Murrow.

I've always wanted to write an essay in the spirit of the series, but had trouble knowing where to begin. After all, I believe in a great many things - love, service, duty, integrity, generosity. Which one of these virtues encompasses my core beliefs, and how do I manage the fact that my beliefs continue to evolve as I grow and learn? If I write an essay now, in my mid-forties, will it accurately reflect my belief as I continue to grow into the person I want to be?

The answer to those questions is that it doesn't really matter. The values I try to live by now, in my mid-forties, may not end up being the values I try to live by in my mid-sixties, and that's okay. Everyone evolves and grows as they gain more experience - to remain static is the result that's undesirable.

So I'm starting a new tradition here at Hot Chicks Dig Smart Men. On January 1st, I will post the first of my annual "This I Believe" essays. Each one will explore my belief in a specific concept, or value, or aspect of my humanity that matters to me. I hope to post a new essay on the first of every year, but if the mood strikes and I feel inspired, there may be some that are published midyear.

I would be delighted if my fellow bloggers would like to join me in this new tradition, but if not, that's fine too. Baring the soul on the Internet isn't for everyone. For myself, I want it to serve as a reminder to help me become the person I want to be.

This I believe.

6 comments:

Jeri said...

I like it! I'll try to prep one. :)

jr said...

great idea! Bill Caudill, a Texas architect in the 60's and 70's, used to periodically issue TIB's (This I beleive) through the firm. They were great tidbits of wisdom, experience and value. I used to visit a website hosted by Texas A&M who was entrusted with his writings. I always thought that sharing one's beliefs/truths were always a great thoughtful endeavor.

Janiece said...

Thanks, JR. I'm not fooling myself into thinking I have any wisdom, but I do think the exercise of organizing and articulating my beliefs will help me live my life more in a more consistent way.

Anne C. said...

Janiece, I'd say that no one possesses wisdom. Rather that people we look up to pursue wisdom. And in your process of thinking and examining your life, you pursue wisdom.

And after listening to some of the examples of this, I think I'll be trying it out too.

Thanks for the great idea! :)

nzforme said...

I'm not so sure I could do it on a schedule -- even one as forgiving as annually. Every so often, I find myself articulating something which I believe deep down at the "fundamental truth" level. But usually, these things are lurking somewhere in my subconscious, and not bubbling up to the surface enough to be expressed.

Ilya said...

As soon as I came to the first sentence of the second paragraph, I thought to myself, "what a great idea for a recurring feature!" Sadly, I doubt I possess enough of blogging drive to do something like this justice. If I decide to do it, I doubt it'll be on the first of the year. I'll think about it some more :-)

In any case, I'm very much looking forward to reading your inaugural entry, Janiece.