Inspiring life wisdom from people of all ages–based on the
This I Believe radio program
The popular This I Believe series, which has aired on NPR
and on Bob Edwards’ shows on Sirius XM Satellite and public radio,
explores the personal beliefs and guiding principles by which
Americans live today. This book brings together treasured life
lessons of people from all walks of life. Whether it’s learning the
power of saying hello or how courage comes with practice, their
intimate reflections will inspire, move, and encourage you. Filled
with the valuable insights distilled from a wide range of personal
experiences, This I Believe: Life Lessons is a perfect
gift–for others or for yourself.
* Includes extraordinary essays written by ‘ordinary’ people who
share the story of an important lesson they have learned about
life
* Shares a wide range of beliefs and experiences from a diverse
group of contributors, including a physician, a roller derby queen,
a corporate executive, and a homeless person
* Based on the popular This I Believe radio series and
thisibelieve.org website
No matter what your age or circumstances, this book will give
you valuable food for thought and important new insights on how
others have learned from life’s challenges.
Table of Content
Introduction 1
The Power of Hello 5
Howard White
The Art of Being a Neighbor 8
Eve Birch
A Kind and Generous Heart 11
Christine Little
Make It Do 14
Patricia Anderson
Grace Is a Gift 17
Laura Durham
The Sisterhood of Roller Derby 20
Erin Blakemore
Caring Makes Us Human 23
Troy Chapman
Satisfaction with a Job Well Done 26
Nancy Pieters Mayfield
The World Is Imperfect 29
Suzanne Cleary
Peace Can Happen 32
Christine Kingery
A Priceless Lesson in Humility 36
Felipe Morales
Finding Out What’s under Second Base 39
Lex Urban
Accomplishing Big Things in Small Pieces 42
William Wissemann
I Have to See the World 45
Veena Muthuraman
Deciding to Live 49
Kij Johnson
Walking in the Light 52
Paul Thorn
The Perfect Merge 55
Lori Vermeulen
Listening Is Powerful Medicine 58
Alicia M. Conill, M.D.
Semper Fidelis 61
Andrew Paradis
Our Vulnerability Is Our Strength 64
Colin Bates
Patriotic Ponderings 67
Joan Skiba
Opening the Door of Mercy 70
Karin Round
The True Value of Life 73
Sudie Bond Noland
An Invitation to Dialogue 76
Madhukar Rao
Homeless but Not Hopeless: A Man Finds His Soul 79
Les Gapay
The Power of Sleep 82
Anne Hoppus
Where Wildflowers Grow 85
Maureen Crane Wartski
I Could Be Wrong 88
Allan Barger
Everyone Is Included 91
Catherine Mcdowall
A Lesson I Hold Dear 95
Kara Gebhart Uhl
A Taste of Success 98
Geoffrey Canada
A Grace of Silence 102
Andrew Flewelling
Do Talk to Strangers 105
Sabrina Dubik
Finding Our Common Ground 108
Robin Mize
Bus Chick’s Manifesto 111
Carla Saulter
Right Now Matters 114
Samantha Jacobs
Seeing with the Heart 117
Stephanie Disney
Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace 120
Dani Weathers
The Triumph of Kindness 123
Josh Stein
Time to Walk the Dog 126
Betsy Buchalter Adler
Yankee Go Home 129
Rita Barrett
The Courage to Change the Things I Can 133
Mark Olmsted
To Hear Your Inner Voice 136
Christine Todd Whitman
Keep It Real 139
Rose Eiesland Foster
Important Strangers 142
Leslie Guttman
My Parents as Friends 146
Bhavani G. Murugesan
A Good Neighborhood 149
Jeff Nixa
Believing in People 152
Rebecca Klott
Becoming Friends 155
Larry Chaston
Just Say No 158
Jessica Paris
Courage Comes with Practice 161
Theresa Macphail
Adapting to the Possibilities of Life 164
Donald L. Rosenstein, M.D.
Why Are We Here? 167
Dale Long
A Drive to Achieve the Extraordinary 170
Juliet Frerking
Inviting the World to Dinner 173
Jim Haynes
Finding the Flexibility to Survive 176
Brighton Earley
The Act of Giving Thanks 179
Michelle Lee
Sally’s Monday 182
Patricia James
If You Don’t Do It, Who Will? 185
Jodi Webb
Here Comes (the Real) Santa Claus 188
Becky Sun
Appendix: How to Write Your Own
This I Believe Essay 191
Acknowledgments 193
About the author
DAN GEDIMAN is executive director of This I Believe, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that engages people in writing and sharing essays describing the core values that guide their daily lives. These short statements of belief have been featured on public radio since 2005. Gediman is the coeditor of the New York Times bestseller This I Believe, as well as This I Believe II, This I Believe: On Love, This I Believe: On Fatherhood and This I Believe: On Motherhood.
JOHN GREGORY is editorial director and MARY JO GEDIMAN is outreach director of This I Believe, Inc.
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