What Do I Believe?

incense prayer sticks in sand at a temple in singapore

People ask me everyday. What do I believe? I’ve thought about this question a lot. And I think it’s something everyone should answer. In writing. There is something about writing out your beliefs that makes you question where your beliefs come from, why you have them, and what they ultimately mean to you.

Whenever I would get upset, a close friend of mine would ask me “Is this the hill you want to die on?” A reference to battles of old that were fought on hills. Is this particular belief, idea, moment, etc. the particular belief, idea, or moment you are willing to die for? If so, stick to your guns. But, the reality is that more often than not, there are few moments that actually touch our deepest beliefs: the ones we’re willing to die for.

Putting your beliefs in writing helps to do this. Put things in perspective. I will only add one rule to writing down your beliefs. Phrase everything in the positive. I’m suggesting you write down what you believe, not what you don’t believe. It’s easy to say “well, I don’t believe XXXXX.” or “I think XXX is not true.” That’s great. But, the reality is neither of those is a belief in something. It is a belief against something. But do you believe the exact opposite is true? If XX is not true, then is YY true? Or if you don’t believe in XX, then do you believe in YY?

And so we’re clear. I’d like to lay out for you my beliefs. I do not expect this to influence you in any way. I am not trying to convert you to what I believe. Instead, if we share our beliefs in a positive way, we can get to know each other better.

I believe that there is something that is “bigger than we are” which is often referred to as “God”.

I believe that God created the universe and provided it with rules that govern the physical and the spiritual.

I believe that everyone is loved by God without condition and that we are asked to try to do the same.

I believe that we create and are responsible for our reality and the conditions of our lives.

I believe that everyone is already saved.

I believe that we are called to make our reality something close to the concept of “heaven”.

I believe that what happens after this life is not something we should think about now, because we live in the present moment.

I believe our actions in the present moment help create our next moment, whether that next moment is in this reality or another.

I believe I am loved. I am perfect exactly the way I am.

I believe I must live my life for me.

I believe that other people are just as loved and perfect as I am exactly the way they are.

I believe it is my responsibility to accept other people for who they are.

I believe I am responsible for making the world a better place and that my gifts and talents can help make that happen.

I believe God speaks to everyone in a way that they individually understand, and that how God speaks to someone else is different than how God speaks to me. And both are ok.

I believe life is meant to be easy and fun. I am meant to experience peace and joy more than anything else. I believe understanding and living with respect for the physical and spiritual laws makes this happen with little effort on my part.

I believe the analytical mind works well in the physical world and the intuitive mind works well in the spiritual world, and that I should use both equally well.

I believe I am supposed to take care of myself so that I can also take care of others.

What do you believe?