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Lessons & Letters
BELIEFS… WHAT ARE YOU MADE OF?
Sitting over at Jennifer’s place the other night, sipping on glasses of wine and unwinding from the
week, a conversation about what happens to us after we die initiated. Do we go to Heaven? Do we
go to Hell or Purgatory? Do we just simply die and go nowhere? Is there life after death? Are we
re-incarnated? If so, who or what do we come back as, and do we come back to Earth or go
somewhere else? It was a fascinating conversation and one of the deepest conversations Jenn and
I have had together since knowing and working with one another. It became very clear that although
we were both raised in church-going families, we had very different beliefs. After another glass or so, the
conversation about “The Dark Side of the Moon,” came up. Are we the only one’s here? Are there more than just
human life forms? Are there Angels or Aliens or God or a higher power? This again unwrapped some of our beliefs
and we were noticeably very different in what and how we believe. This entire evening spiraled into an endless
awesome and wonderful evening. We laughed a lot and looked at one another like the other was crazy a few times.
All in all, the conversation brought us closer. We talked about how people can read the same message and how it
can be interpreted differently. This got into an even deeper conversation.
Later that night, back home and in bed, the nights affairs started making me think more. I thought about all the
things I believe in and why I believe that way. I realized that each belief was stemming from the way I was raised
and was taught to believe, or it stemmed from a personal experience(s) that I have had, and therefore, I believe a
certain way or in a certain thing. But the biggest acknowledgment for me was understanding that what I believe,
makes me…me. What Jenn believes in, makes Jenn, Jenn. And on a bigger note, what we all believe, in my opinion,
is what makes us… individually us. It’s quite so simple. It’s not what sign we are born under or the minute and
second that we came into the world, or where the stars lay in the sky that determines who we are… unless of
course, that is your belief. Scientifically we are made up of cells and water and blood and genes and tissue and all
the things, but does that make us who we are, or do those things make us what we are? Lying awake in bed that
night, I thought that it is what we believe in that makes us wholly… who we are. My beliefs define me and your
beliefs define you.
Our beliefs can often be our driving force for everything. How do you believe you should raise your children?
Do you believe in medicine for healing or chiropractic methods and energy modalities? Do you believe in God or
something else or nothing at all? Do you believe cussing is bad and unacceptable or normal and accepted? Do you
believe in life after death and reincarnation or are you an atheist? Do you believe in the left wing or right wing of
politics? Do you believe that when a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, that it makes noise?
Do you believe in love at first sight or love at all? Do you believe in hard love and giving it when needed or do you
believe in biting your tongue? Do you believe in sin and forgiveness? Do you believe in burning bridges and living
gloriously selfish? Do you believe in yourself?
Whatever your beliefs are, I hope you own them with conviction. I pray that you hold your beliefs close to your
chest and let them be known when they need to be. I pray that we, as a society, learn that because our beliefs
make us who we are, that it is ok for us to not believe in the same things or the same ways, but it is hugely
important to know what you believe. Afterall… it’s what your made of.
Always Thankful,
Nikki White
/turquoiseelephant.com