Thirty Things

First, I promise I'll blog about the cruise later this week. Suffice it to say: extremely relaxing, very fun, but not so much sunny. And C. and I have discovered that we are compatible traveling companions, which is important.

Now, for those of you who don't listen to the This I Believe series on NPR, I must ask: why not? These are wonderful, short radio essays that really get to the core of things. (I'm having my creative non-fiction class read one this week...) I missed this one by Tarak McClain on Sunday, but it's excellent. Apparently, last year, when Tarak's kindergarten group did the usual 100th day celebration, he didn't bring 100 Q-tips, or 100 pennies, or 100 beans. He brought a list of 100 things he believes. For us, he winnowed it down to 30:

I believe life is good.

I believe God is in everything.

I believe we're all equal.

I believe we can help people.

I believe everyone is weird in their own way.

I believe hate is a cause for love.

I believe that when I meditate I feel peaceful.

I believe we should be generous.

I believe brothers and sisters should be kind to each other.

I believe kids should respect their parents.

I believe I should not whine.

I believe people should wake up early.

I believe people should go outside more.

I believe in nature.

I believe people should use less trees.

I believe we should help the Arctic and rainforest animals.

I believe people shouldn't throw litter on the ground.

I believe people should not smoke.

I believe God is in good and bad.

I believe in magic.

I believe people should not give up.

I believe love is everywhere.

I believe that God helps us to have a good time.

I believe we live best in a community.

I believe we can protect people in danger.

I believe we should help the poor.

I believe it's OK to die but not to kill.

I believe war should not have started.

I believe war should stop.

I believe we can make peace.