This I Believe

Happy Thanksgiving. I hope that you took a moment to be thankful for everything that you have. I took many. Makes me realize I need to do that more often - not just on Thanksgiving day.

We took a walk today. It was an unbelieveably gorgeous fall day. The sun was shining and there was absolutely no clouds in the sky. The kind of day that makes you feel good no matter what your mood.

For some reason, walking in the sun and feeling the warmth of the late fall sun made me feel nostalgic and spiritual. There's something about a day like this that tends to do that to me. There is something about the warmth of sunlight shining down on me that makes me know everything is ok and that God is present. I personally imagine that when I die, God will be a warm light shining on me from above much like that of today's sun.

I had moments today when I thought about things that I should not on a day like today. I especially thought of what is going on in Iraq. It makes me sad to think that there are soldiers there and not at home with their families. I am very thankful for what they are doing but I am very sad that they have to be there.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about what I believe. When I have these thoughts, I always think of the "This, I Believe" series on NPR. It always has an emotional impact on me.

This is what I believe. And these are the things that I am thankful for.

I believe in the sanctity of marriage but I also believe that happiness is more important than anything in this life, even the sanctity of marriage.

I believe in love and I believe that love can change the world.

I believe that we cannot be wrong in what we believe but that what we believe can do us wrong.

I believe in the beauty of existence but I accept that the ugly side of this reality is necessary.

I believe my wife is the most amazing woman that God has created and that our daughters are tied for first.

I believe that success is about a state of mind, not about cultural achievement or material wealth.

I believe that I can be a better person and that as I achieve that goal, other people become better as a result.

I believe I've got a lot of work to do before I become the person I want to become.

I believe that I am not perfect but that the pursuit of perfection is an honorable goal and one that leads me closer to the light of God.

I believe that I have so much to learn that I will be learning until the day I die.

I believe that fear is the most detrimental emotion that humans feel.

I believe that what I believe creates my reality.

I believe in myself.

Most importantly, I am thankful to have the ability to believe and to be able to express it in this way. I believe, for me, that is one of the most important aspects of my path.

>(Jones/Page/Plant)

And if you feel that you can't go on. And your will's sinkin' low
Just believe and you can't go wrong.
In the light you will find the road. You will find the road
Oh, did you ever believe that I could leave you, standing out in the cold
I know how it feels 'cause I have slipped through to the very depths of my soul.
I just wanna show what I'd give you it is from every bend in the road
Now listen to me
Oh, whoa-whoa, as I was and really would be for you, too, honey
As you would for me, oh, I would share your load.
Let me share your load. Ooh, let me share, share your load
And if you feel that you can't go on
In the light you will find the road
Though the winds of change may blow around you, but that will always be so
When love is pain it can devour you, if you are never alone
I would share your load. I would share your load
Baby, let me, oh, let me
In the light
Everybody needs the light.
In the light, in the light, in the light
Light, light, light, in the light
Light, light, light, in the light, ooh, yeah
Light, light, light, in the light