Positive Power of Belief

National Public Radio runs a series called This I Believe. We can credit Edward R. Murrow as he sought out and obtained essays from individuals on their most deeply held beliefs.  Many of us have listened to these brief spoken essays that inspire, provoke and move us.  This resource can restore the power of humanity when the pressures of information overload can overwhelm and depress us.  

As a rule I choose to be happy.  I find it easier to maintain a positive outlook that  leads to a state of happiness when I act consistent with my beliefs.  Of course, I state the obvious.  But if you seriously think about it, when was the last time you were unhappy when your personal behavior was consistent with your core and fundamental beliefs?

I readily acknowledge that external factors trigger temporary emotional feelings of sadness, worry, anger, and despair.  Consider the moments and days following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  There are few people who refer to that day as one filled with happiness.   Certainly, if that didn't happen to be the day when you brought a child into the world, got married or landed a new job, odds are that you would list that day as one filled with sadness and tragedy.  

Without detracting from the losses of that day my reflections on that time remind me of the positive power of friends, family, and faith and the effect they had on us as a nation,  communities and individuals that I have only recently recognized.  

As a nation we enjoyed a sense of unity and strength that still makes me smile.  Prior to the actions in Iraq we enjoyed worldwide support and good will.  These were offered by our allies and even countries that historically had been deemed our enemies.  Their words of consolation, support and offers of help caused long-time wounds to be relieved, if not fully healed.  

As local communities and family and friends we joined together in our homes and I recall particular outings to restaurants where proceeds from those dinners were sent to the victims of the attacks. There were concerts and other televised events that united us as neighbors and communities engaged in a common cause.   The number of positive events were in the millions and these actions directly offset the horrors of the awful choices that were made that day.  

In our houses of worship our prayers went out to all people.  There existed from many a desire to good to all people regardless of their religious practice or the lack thereof.  There was a moment of hope and a desire to overcome evil by the regular practice of doing good.  For several weeks we enjoyed overwhelming feelings of happiness even in the aftermath of horrible evil.

Today, even if some facts suggest the contrary, if we believe there is hope for a better and a happier world we will be more likely to act in a way that creates that better world.