This I Believe is an international project engaging people in writing and sharing essays describing the core values that guide their daily lives. Over 60,000 of these essays, written by people from all walks of life, are archived on the website, www.thisibelieve.org. Edward R. Murrow began the radio program in the 1950's.

I recently purchased the book version which contains 75 of these essays. Reading it, I was inspired and awed. These are 500-word essays that express the core beliefs that guide everyday life. They demonstrate how different we all are. And at the same time, they seemed to tell me how similar we all are too.

In one of the books I have on my coffee table, by Michael Bernard Beckwith, he says, There is a distinction between personality and character. The word character is from the Old French caractere meaning "imprint on the soul." while the word personality suggests veneer and is connected with the Latin word persona which was a mask worn by actors. He says, "it's easy to tell if you are living from character or personality: If things aren't going your way, personality pouts while character remains unruffled and learns from the experience. When you are not in psychologically or emotionally safe territory, personality panics. Character, on the other hand, rides the vicissitudes of life with even-mindedness. "

It seemed to me that, reading through the essays in the book This I Believe, the writers were expressing character rather than personality. The beliefs expressed came from that place that weathered the storm, crossed the bridge, saw the higher path.

Writing about what you believe would be a thoughtful process. It might be a good Christmas gift to your children, or to your grandchildren. You might want ot give it a try.