What Do You Believe?
This, I Believe
When I began to write some philosophical pieces, I asked myself some pertinent questions.
- Will my writing show that I have truly experienced life?
- Will my writing have an influence on others?
- Who do I emulate in my own living?
- What do I really believe?
The last question made me do some soul searching. Just, what do I really believe?
I have always had a moral conscience I used to guide my living, but that wasn't enough to answer the question. I concluded that I must put onto paper what I sense and perceive in my heart.
- I believe in an omnipotent God. He is all wise, all loving, and always with me. Only through Him can I know love, for He is love. Only through Him can I find happiness, joy, and satisfaction. Only through Him can I best serve Him and my fellowman. Only through Him can I find gratification in living and fullness in life.
- I believe that love is the most powerful force in the world. I believe that love will conquer hate. I believe that right will conquer wrong. I believe that understanding will conquer might. And, I believe that love is forever.
- I believe in the sanctity of the family. I believe that the family structure was ordained of God, to manifest itself in love, in procreation, in discipline, and in commitment, to provide for the betterment of all mankind.
- I believe in the worth of the individual. Every man deserves the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
- I believe that every man should strive to learn what his tasks in life should be, for true happiness can only be found in the enjoyment of your endeavors.
- I believe that a man's word is his bond. A man's character and integrity, not his power or position, are his true value.
- I believe that rights imply responsibilities, opportunities an obligation, and possessions a duty. The world owes no man a living, but every man should have the right to an opportunity to make a living, and a duty to provide for his own.
- I believe in the free enterprise system. Our economic system has proven to be the world's most efficient device to reward labor, to compensate management, and to aid investment, so that man's efforts are complemented for the enrichment of all.
- I believe that truth and justice are fundamental to an enduring social order, which the law was made for man and not man for the law. I believe that government is the servant of the people and not their master.
- Finally, everything I am and have, I owe to others. Our forefathers brought us an orderly society, an economic system which provides for its people, an educational system which continues to better itself, and a people who believe in a Higher Power that sustains us. All of these gave me the opportunity to become whatever I desired and wanted to work for in life.
Copyright © 2005 Bob Stoess
--- Submitted By Brian G. Jett --- Kentucky
Bob Stoess is Retired CEO, Bank in Louisville, KY., a prolific writer and wonderful mentor.