This I Believe - Essay

"This I Believe" Essay

My time on earth has been a short one. However, I already feel as though I have lived plenty of life. Growing up in the godless state of California afforded me many opportunities and experiences. Corporations have paid for me to travel and endorse their products while doing what I love. At the ripe age of 17 I was running the Orange County nightlife working for a washed up Hollywood actor. I have survived multiple gun battles and even more bombs. At the age of 21 I was making literal life or death decisions for men a decade my senior in combat. Through these experiences I have learned that above all else; I can always believe in myself.

My body and mind have been to hell and back. Here I sit typing because I never let myself fail. I never let myself quit. I never let myself accept less then what I was willing to stand. Having faith and beliefs in the hands or thoughts of another is blasphemy to one's own existence. It is our free will that separates us from animals. Unfortunately, not enough people exercise that right.

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There are things around me that I hold near and dear to my heart. However, nothing makes my decisions for me. I am perfectly capable of accepting responsibility for my own actions. I don't fear my reality. There is no need for me to escape and hide behind something else. I am who I am.

There are principals I consult before making my decisions. I am a firm believer in the Golden Rule. There are words that I live by as well. By living a life that stands by the pillars of my existence I am able to sleep well at night. Respect is an unfortunately forgotten word among modern culture. These days loyalty seems to be only expected from dogs. By far the most forgotten word is honor. I stand true to myself and my family by these words.

By no means or definition am I a selfish person. My existence is quite contrary to the word. When someone is able to show me that they live their life by similar and righteous standards they are welcomed into mine. One of the greatest compliments anyone can pay would be someone saying they believe in me. It is with those words that my belief has come full circle.