I Still Believe

Despite the fact that our world sometimes seems bent upon being as violent and venal…as foreboding and faithless…as cold and cruel as it possibly can be, I still believe. The lessons I learned from my mother and her mighty heart inform my worldview now as always and thus, a certain affinity for cynicism notwithstanding, I still believe.

I still believe in magic…the everyday magic that shines in the songs and the shy giggles of schoolchildren and from the souls of people who smile and laugh with knowing, sparkling light in their eyes and warm, welcoming joy in their hearts; the everyday magic of babies gurgling happily in your protective arms; the everyday magic of knowing that, even in your darkest hours, that there are people who love you fiercely and eternally.

I still believe that people are, any and all evidence to the contrary, are more naturally drawn to be subjects of the better angels of their natures even though they sometimes allow their baser impulses to run unchecked. I still believe in always trying to do the right thing not because someone is watching…or because of some dire consequence for not doing so…but because it is the right thing.

I still believe that Dr. King was right and that the content of my character is infinitely more important than the color of my skin. I still believe that our differences are few and negligible and that our similarities are myriad and undeniable.

I still believe that there is a power binding us all one to each other and each to everybody and everything in the Universe as we know and understand it. I believe that whatever name we give this power it makes us an indelible part of the boundless many even as we are each a unique one. It makes us strong even when we feel weak. It makes us all connected to…and responsible for…everyone else. I believe that faith should be a guide and not a crutch….that compassion should flow freely…and empathy should be the default position whenever we’re interacting with anybody else.

I still believe in music…in the power of music to caress the soul and to shout out to eternity. I believe that there’s nothing sweeter than children guilelessly singing sweet and simple songs as they discover wonders of the world that we’ve long since taken for granted. I believe that dancing is the inalienable right of every man, woman, and child regardless of their ability to find and keep the beat. And I believe that voices of angels have to sound like Louis Armstrong, Emmylou Harris, and Aretha Franklin.

I believe there’s unquenchable wonder in being young and there’s gentle glory in growing gracefully and proudly old. I believe in love…chaste and carnal…and expressing that love to best of our abilities each and every chance we get.

I still believe that hugs and kisses and tender touches, like smiles and laughter and beautiful songs, were meant to be shared often and abundantly. I still believe that it’s okay to cry when you need to and that being sad is a good thing as long as you wallow in it overmuch. I still believe in kind words and reflexive reaching out and having strong shoulders for others to lean on. I still believe in teddy bears and sentimental greeting cards and little gifts given “just because”.

I still believe in the power of words and the joys of daydreaming and in indulging fanciful imagines whenever and wherever possible. I still believe in Superman and Captain America, in truth and justice and what should always be the American way. And I still believe that there is indeed nothing funny about peace, love, and understanding.

I still believe that our journey through life should be informed by a never-ending thirst to learn and understand everything we possibly can or otherwise we’re just wasting the precious gift of awareness.

I still believe that everybody should walk in the sunshine as often as they can. I still believe that everybody should dance in rain showers as often as they can as well. I still believe that clouds paint soft tapestries for anybody and everybody who takes the time to really see them and that breezes like to play mischievous games with anybody and everybody who takes the time to play along. I believe in stopping to smell the roses and in waltzing in vibrant fields of wildflowers and in playing tag with carefree waves on cool and windswept shores.

I believe that our dogs love us (no matter who we are) and that our cats do too even though they would never admit it.

I still believe in the true meaning of Christmas and what should be the true meaning of Valentine’s Day and in giving thanks for the wonders of life, liberty, and love each and every day. I believe that the universe will offer up wonders beyond our imaginations to our children’s children and to their children.

And I still believe that Pluto is a full-fledged planet no matter what anybody says.

In our bittersweet, but still utterly amazing, world…a world that sometimes seems filled with too much tragedy and tumult and not nearly enough faith, hope, or charity, I still believe. My hardworking mother taught me that, though I think she might deny it, and thus I know it’s absolutely the right thing to do.