By Nicole Rymarz, Senior
It’s a common theme in movies: when we believe in something greater than ourselves, whether it be in ghosts or aliens or that the wish we made at 11:11 really will come true, a chord of hope is struck within us.
Believing in something, big or small, helps us appreciate life and connect better with those around us. The belief itself may be something seemingly irrelevant, just as long as the believer feels it ringing inside them with a fierce passion.
I believe that everyone needs something to believe in because a strong belief can help us to live more fully, reach out to others, and simply give us a reason worth living.
Believe in yourself, and the rest will come through on its own.
It’s the small, yet significant piece of advice that my coaches, parents and friends have been constantly banging into my thick skull ever since I can remember. When we are able to believe in ourselves, to truly know in our hearts that we’re capable of accomplishing the seemingly unattainable goal, we have already taken the first step towards success. This not only makes living life much easier, but also much more enjoyable.
It saddens me when I see someone with little confidence because, if we can’t believe in ourselves, what can we believe in? Liking who we are and knowing what we’re capable of is crucial in believing in ourselves, and once we have done that, the rest of the world becomes much more reachable.
With all of the technological advances in the world today, long gone are the days of kids spending hours on end outside, busy with innocent games of cops and robbers and freeze tag. Bed sheets draped over shoulders no longer serve as superhero capes and the modest swingset in the backyard isn’t a vast kingdom anymore, free for rule.
Instead, kids are willingly spending their time cooped up in their ill lit basements, thumbing away on their Playstations. It’s a shame that they’ve lost their sense of childhood, and we should do all that we can to preserve what’s left of the simple things.
A large piece of our youth is spent nurturing our earliest beliefs, and one of the most beloved ones is our belief in the jolly red suited man shimmying his way down our chimney once a year. The belief in Santa Clause and all of his holiday pals like the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy represent the hope and sense of magic in our childhood.
To believe in and love something so fully without ever seeing it is a gift that many adults do not possess and it truly is a special part of a child’s life. Pressed noses against the frostbitten glass on Christmas Eve night, waiting for that jingling sleigh to come thudding over the roof is essential for every child because of the hope, excitement and pure joy it brings.
One of my strongest beliefs is one that I share with many: my belief in God. As a practicing Catholic, my belief in God has profoundly shaped both my life and who I am as a person. I know that my connection with Him can always be deeper and more fulfilling, so I strive to improve our relationship every day through prayer and practice. With God being such a large part of who I am, I feel His presence shadowing nearly every aspect of my life, including the way I interact with my peers, the choices I make and the way I see myself as a person. Although I pride myself in being very active with Christ, especially through prayer, I feel that He has spoken truly to me only a singular time, in a dream that I had. In my dream, I found myself in a very dangerous situation when God appeared in front of me, wearing robes with His head dipped in prayer.
He didn’t utter a word, but when I saw him before me, I began crying with happiness, “God has saved me! He’s always looking out for me and will always be by my side!” Although it was only one dream, it was powerful enough to reinforce my faith and has therefore reshaped who I am. Everything I do, I do in order to please God. This has not only helped me to better connect with him, but also with fellow Christians.
In conclusion, our beliefs profoundly shape us as human beings. They determine our religion, our culture, our friendships and our everyday decisions. No matter the subject, these beliefs are vital because they add elements of goals, bliss and even a elements of enchantment to our lives. I believe that everyone needs something to believe in because a strong belief can help us to live more fully, reach out to others, and simply give us a reason worth living.