I Believe

A frog tried to look as big as an elephant and burst. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. A good life fears not life or death. A little lie is like a little pregnancy; it does not take long before everybody knows. A man there was and they called him mad; the more he gave, the more he had. Acceptance and tolerance do not necessarily imply agreement and/or approval. All wrongs will be righted and truth will come to light.
Attitudes are more important than facts.

Despite one’s own best efforts, things can and do go wrong. Feed your faith and doubt will starve to death. Give people a fish and they eat for a day. Teach them to fish and they feed themselves for life. Give the gift of your absence to those who do not appreciate you. If uncertain about your priorities, talk to someone who has an incurable disease. If you do a favor, forget it; if you receive one, remember it. If you want to remember to take something with you, place your car keys there. It is better to be first with an ugly woman than the hundredth with a beauty. It is easier to ridicule than to commend. It is very comforting to know and believe that we do not have to be like everybody else.

Learn to appreciate what you have before time makes you appreciate what you had. Learn to paddle your own canoe.
Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Let your past be your springboard, not your quicksand. Live with no excuses and love with no regrets. Never spend your money before you have it. Nothing is to be had for nothing. Our character is essentially the sum of our habits. Parents are the most influential teachers a child will ever have.

Self-reflection is always a good exercise. What I believe is a work in progress, not limited to these statements and subject to change. What do YOU believe?