This I Believe

This I believe. What a difficult thing to find the courage to believe after facing so much loss and injustice. Luckily for us, this time has also sparked a revolution. It’s up to us that it sticks to its mission. The American ideal: liberty and justice for all.

I believe that we can believe. In fact, we seem to believe more in the face of hardship. We forget about the bigger picture when we are flooded with joy. It’s okay. It’s okay. Humans are built in such a funny way. We fully ponder over the higher power, the higher purpose, once we think the end is near.

These thoughts come from a Muslim girl who finds peace in a church and among the mountains. Not because she does not love her faith. Quite the opposite actually. She understands that the religion of hope is what we all have in common.

I believe in love. I believe in sorrow. I believe you cannot have one without the other. I believe that we are losing our sense of connection. We seem to be losing grasp of empathy and understanding. I believe we have our own truths. I believe that no one has the same heart as me. I cannot expect me from someone else. But the least I can do is understand where they are coming from.

I know that I have privilege. Although I am not white, I have fair skin. One that makes everyone say something or the other. I have learned to despise it because whenever I speak my mind, people tell me I am prideful. As if it weren’t hard enough to speak.

Being a woman has taught me a lot. But it’s mostly taught me to speak up, even if my voice shakes. Maybe they won’t believe you, but at least you’ll know that you tried.

I also know that I am privileged to not be from wealth. A rarity, I know. A world fueled by consumption. I want no part of it. What is the point of wealth if you cannot share it? For me, success is not the number of cars that I have, but the impact I have left on the souls who needed that smile, coffee, book, that I. I gave them.

I believe in humanity so much. It makes me want to sob. Why can’t we love each other through it all? We confuse passion with anger often. I hope one day, we know when to stand tall and when to stand back.

I know we have light within us. It connects us all. Even if we cannot see it at times. I know that times are tough. I know we are upset. But one consistent thing is the human belief to overcome and be better.

So let’s adapt, let’s evolve, let’s love it all. This I believe. I believe in our past, present, and future.

But most of all, I believe in the strength of you and me. This I believe.