This I Believe...
A collection of views from UU church members
A collection of views from UU church members
This I Believe...
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Erica K. - April 2009
This I Believe...
By Erica K.
April 2009
For the past 13 years I have been comfortable with people labeling me as an atheist. I think
technically I would be agnostic. I then started to associate my self with being secular
humanist; I was very comfortable calling myself a secular humanist. Only until recently had
I really considered myself a Unitarian Universalist, not just someone who went to a UU
church.
One of my strongest personal beliefs comes from Buddhism: All things are impermanent. I
may not see or understanding the concept as a Buddhist would but realizing that nothing is
permanent - nothing lasts forever, has helped me to make decisions in my life. This belief
helps when making large decisions: to move to another country or change jobs. No matter
what I chose, I know it will not be permanent nor do I worry it will be the wrong
decision.. I can always change my mind.
Another realization that I have come to is that experiences are more important for happiness
than tangible things. This may be common sense for some people but I am looking at my
life differently now. I never wanted to waste money on going to movie or to a restaurant.
But I enjoy these, so now we plan to go out to a restaurant or to a nice movie theater - just
for the experience and realize it is not a waste of money.
I've started thinking about my children's happiness. I've been trying to focus on
experiences for them and as a family. We love going to the park and having a picnic in the
summer. I try to limit too many tangible things, toys that get forgotten after one day and
hopefully give them experiences that will last.
Now, I am thinking about the experiences that I am giving others. I believe in a kind of
collective karma, each of our actions affect all of us. Do I create a positive experience in
my classroom for me and others? What am I offering to my students? I'm not sure yet, but
these are questions that I am now asking myself. What experiences do I want to have and
what experience should I try to create in my classroom.
I have not considered my self a religious person for many years, but now as a UU I am
more comfortable saying I am religious. And if I may paraphrase Betsy: “My religion is
how I live - what I do everyday, not just what I do for an hour on Sunday.”
By Erica K.
April 2009
For the past 13 years I have been comfortable with people labeling me as an atheist. I think
technically I would be agnostic. I then started to associate my self with being secular
humanist; I was very comfortable calling myself a secular humanist. Only until recently had
I really considered myself a Unitarian Universalist, not just someone who went to a UU
church.
One of my strongest personal beliefs comes from Buddhism: All things are impermanent. I
may not see or understanding the concept as a Buddhist would but realizing that nothing is
permanent - nothing lasts forever, has helped me to make decisions in my life. This belief
helps when making large decisions: to move to another country or change jobs. No matter
what I chose, I know it will not be permanent nor do I worry it will be the wrong
decision.. I can always change my mind.
Another realization that I have come to is that experiences are more important for happiness
than tangible things. This may be common sense for some people but I am looking at my
life differently now. I never wanted to waste money on going to movie or to a restaurant.
But I enjoy these, so now we plan to go out to a restaurant or to a nice movie theater - just
for the experience and realize it is not a waste of money.
I've started thinking about my children's happiness. I've been trying to focus on
experiences for them and as a family. We love going to the park and having a picnic in the
summer. I try to limit too many tangible things, toys that get forgotten after one day and
hopefully give them experiences that will last.
Now, I am thinking about the experiences that I am giving others. I believe in a kind of
collective karma, each of our actions affect all of us. Do I create a positive experience in
my classroom for me and others? What am I offering to my students? I'm not sure yet, but
these are questions that I am now asking myself. What experiences do I want to have and
what experience should I try to create in my classroom.
I have not considered my self a religious person for many years, but now as a UU I am
more comfortable saying I am religious. And if I may paraphrase Betsy: “My religion is
how I live - what I do everyday, not just what I do for an hour on Sunday.”