What defines us if not our beliefs? What forms the core of who we are in our every day lives if not our ideological underpinnings? I recognize the allure of a nihilistic point of view but it is certainly not an ethos.

I find it best for one own their beliefs. Carry them in your heart and wear them on your sleeve. Live your life according to them and recognize when you’ve failed to do so. Take the judgement. Accept the labels in stride. Dreamer. Idealist. Socialist. Snowflake. I am all of these things. While intended as derisive labels, I accept these as an accurate assessment of who I am. Because I believe things in accordance with them.

I believe in democracy. REAL democracy, not just the kind they let us have.

I believe that we should have more than two options. Life is full of many choices, but when we have to choose our leaders it’s only one or the other. Why?

I believe there’s a ruling class. The laws they pass down to us from on high are of little benefit. Any good therein is incidental.

I believe that healthcare is a human right, not a commodity. Not a marketplace. Life is not to be negotiated with dollars and cents.

I believe in the reasonable expectation for one to not have their life taken away by another.

I believe our administration of justice provides anything but.

I believe that it ok to take a knee.

I believe it is ok to question authority. Authority unquestioned is authority unchecked.

I believe we should not concede our liberty so that we might have some false sense of security.

I believe that I won’t believe everything I see on TV, hear on the radio, or read in the newspapers. Those messages are delivered on behalf of one master or no another. It is rarely the message of the people. Rarely embedded is any truth.

I believe in the importance of leisure.

I believe that all people are entitled to a life of relative luxury and comfort.

I believe in making mistakes. It’s how we learn.

I believe in redemption, it’s how we show we’ve learned.

I believe in connecting with others. We find each ourselves in each other’s lives for one reason or another. Discover the reason if you don’t already know it.

I believe capitalism does not serve the interest of the masses.

I believe in a higher power but not a bearded man who resides in the sky. A little piece of this of this power lays dormant in each of us. It is only through the union of the many, brought together by their similarly held ideals, does this power ever find itself amplified. It’s the people that have the power, if they want it.

I believe the world can be a better place if we finally decide to try.

I believe that there is power in love.

I believe in plunging your hand into the darkness and pulling out those who are ready to grab hold.

I believe in the power of an embrace be it friendly, romantic, or to comfort.

I believe it’s ok for men to cry.

I believe in ghosts.

I believe in aliens.

I believe in people.

I believe that there’s always something to believe in and that we should take the time to think about it more than we do. Make a list. It doesn’t have to be definitive. Mine sure isn’t. But I do take comfort in having some idea of what I believe in.