Quick Reference Chart for Using This I Believe In Order of Essay in the Book

ESSAY TITLE DEPARTMENT/AREA KEY WORDS

Be Cool to the Pizza Dude / Philosophy, Social Work, Nursing / Empathy, civility, honor, honest work, equality
Leaving Identity Issues to Other Folks / Multicultural Programs, Sociology, History / Personal change over time, racism, freedom, best woman you can be
In Giving I Connect with Others / Women’s Studies, Nursing / Loss of a child, consistency, giving of yourself to others, sharing
Remembering All the Boys / Social Work, Psychology, Sociology / Gang killings, respect for the dead, importance of remembering
The Mountain Disappears / Art, Music / Belief in people, capacity for change, dignity of others, potential of people
How Is It Possible to Believe in God? / Creative Writing, Literature / Belief in God, the creator
The Fellowship of the World / Sciences, Philosophy, English/Writing / Faith, fellowship with the world, how you make the “journey” of life
There is No Job More Important than Parenting / FYEX classes, Education, Early Childhood Ed, Consumer Sciences / Intellectual preparation, delayed gratification, skill of parenting
A Journey toward Acceptance and Love / Sociology, Psychology / Sexuality, depression, love of self, love of others
A Shared Moment of Trust / History, Political Science / Depending on one another, trust in others, wisdom of seniors
The Hardest Work You Will Ever Do / Nursing / Death, depression, giving in to grief, accepting help from others
Good Can Be as Communicable as Evil / Communications/radio, Political Science / Courtesy, civility, compassion, wisdom of seniors
A Daily Walk Just to Listen / Women’s Studies, World Religion / Prayer, listening to God, pursuit of spiritual truth
The Elusive Yet Holy Core / Writing classes, Philosophy, Biology, Nursing / Life is transitory and fragile, the soul is enduring
My Father’s Evening Star / Political Science, History / Faith of our fathers, America’s actions abroad – arrogance, selfishness, greediness
An Honest Doubter / Philosophy, Religion / Freedom from prejudice, learning about many faiths, philosophy, duty, revenge
Have I Learned Anything Important Since I Was Sixteen? / Sociology, Women’s Studies / Skepticism of religious authority, curiosity about the world, live a righteous life, social justice, maturity
An Ideal of Service to our Fellow Man / Business, Sciences, Political Science, Education, Community Service / Free & responsible development of the individual, love of justice, threat to natural rights, a planned economy
The Power and Mystery of Naming Things / Women’s Studies, History, Political Science / The power of naming
A Goal of Service to Humankind / Nursing, Sciences, FYEX, Community Service / Knowledge, excellence, serve humankind
The God Who Embraced Me / Journalism, Sociology / Alcoholism, faith
Unleashing the Power of Creativity / CME, Business, FYEX, Nursing / Computers, creativity, intelligence, philanthropy
The People Who Love You When No One Else Will / Social work, Sociology / Families, fostering, generosity
The Willingness to Work for Solutions / Political Science, Economics, Education / Quality of leadership, work for solutions
The Connection Between Strangers / Political Science, History / Viet Nam, returning home, connections between strangers, carrying good forward
An Athlete of God / Music, Theatre, Athletics, Physical Education / Dance of life, grace resulting from faith in life, love and people
Seeing in Beautiful Precise Pictures / Nursing, Education, Environmental Science / Autism & thinking in pictures, humane animal slaughter
Disrupting My Comfort Zone / Theatre, Business, FYEX / Getting out of your comfort zone, to continue to grow throughout your life, life-long learning
Science Nourishes the Mind and the Soul / Physics, Math, Education, Sciences, Science Writing / Science explains and inspires, science binds us into a greater more resilient whole, science nourishes mind and soul
In Praise of the “Wobblies” / History, Political Science, Journalism, FYEX / Confusion can be a good thing
The Power of Presence / Psychology, Nursing / Presence is a state of being, be there even if you can do nothing, the power of presence
A Grown-Up Barbie / Business, Consumer Science / Clothes are personal part of your identity, create confidence, imagination
Happy Talk / Music, Theatre / Accept the world’s imperfections, announce your happiness, nature is a continuing miracle
Natural Links in a Long Chain of Being / Sustainable Farming, Environmental Science / Need grounding to know where we are in relation to those who went before and those after ourselves, natural links in a long line of being
Talking with the Sun / Creative Writing / American Indian ceremonies & beliefs, racism, diversity, everything is connected at an intimate level, sacredness of life
A Morning Prayer in a Little Church / Theatre, Nursing / Ennoblement of worship, connectedness
Our Noble, Essential Decency / Science Fiction Writing, Education, Nursing / Belief in neighbors (others), belief in the goodness of others
A New Birth of Freedom / Political Science, History / Hope, belief in mankind, re-birth, freedom
The Benefits of Restlessness and Jagged Edges / Psychology, Sociology, FYEX, Nursing / Bipolar disorder, knowing yourself, accepting yourself
There Is No God / World Religions, Psychology, FYEX / Good discussion piece
A Duty to Heal / Nursing, Political Science, History, FYEX / Racism, hope
Living Life with “Grace and Elegant Treeness” / Environmental Science, Philosophy / Living lightly on the Earth, spirituality, love of the outdoors
The Light of a Brighter Day / Philosophy, FYEX, Creative Writing / Faith without dogma
The Bright Lights of Freedom / Political Science, History / Freedom, human rights
The Power of Love to Transform and Heal / Social Work, Psychology / Foreign adoption, the power of love
The Power of Mysteries / Sciences, Physics, Math / Challenges of science, what is mystery
Life Grows in the Soil of Time / Sciences, FYEX / Gift of time and creativity/progress, the transitoriness of time and its value
Why I Close My Restaurant / Consumer Science, Business, FYEX, Political Science / Hope, freedom, hard work
The Virtues of the Quiet Hero / Political Science, History, FYEX / Honor, faith, service
The Joy and Enthusiasm of Reading / Creative writing, English classes, Literature, History, FYEX / Joy of reading books
There Is Such a Thing as Truth / Criminal Justice, Philosophy, Sociology / What is truth?
The Rule of Law / Political Science, Philosophy, FYEX / Rule of law, personal liberties
Getting Angry Can Be a Good Thing / Political Science, FYEX / Outrage and its uses, civil rights, faith in mankind
Mysterious Connections That Link Us Together` / Education, Literature, Global Studies / Empathy, Middle East issues
The Making of Poems / Poetry, Literature, English classes, FYEX / Consequences of traumatic violence, processing experience, human isolation
We Are Each Other’s Business / Religious Studies, FYEX, Multiculturalism / Diversity of religion/pluralism, freedom of worship, bigotry, courage to act
The 50-Percent Theory of Life / Philosophy, Environmental Science, Agriculture / 50/50 rule – ½ good, ½ bad
The America I Believe In / Global Studies, Sociology / International relations, freedom, welcome to immigrants and visitors
The Real Consequences of Justice / Criminal Justice, Political Science / Justice, great discussion essay, using your instincts
There is More to Life than My Life / Philosophy / Meaning of life, death and relating it to young children, love of nature
Tomorrow Will Be a Better Day / Sciences, Sociology, FYEX / Belief in the future
Free Minds and Hearts at Work / Athletics, Political Science / Overcoming obstacles, progress is unalterable, integrity, racial studies
Growth That Starts from Thinking / FYEX, Philosophy / Wisdom of seniors, a questioning mind, good discussion piece, use your life to be the best you can be, critical thinking
The Artistry in Hidden Talents / Music / Connecting creativity of self and others, the power of music, living a creative life, the hidden talents of others
My Fellow Worms / Creative writing, Literature / Humility, pride, freedom is won – not a given
When Children Are Wanted / Women’s Studies, FYEX, Nursing, Sociology, Social Work / To build for something beyond yourself, women's health, birth control, a world where all children are wanted
Jazz Is the Sound of God Laughing / Music / Optimism, the power of jazz
There Is No Such thing as Too Much Barbecue / FYEX, Dining Services, Consumer Science, Sciences / Soul and comfort food, carrying on tradition, physics of fire and convection
The People Have Spoken / Political Science, History / Wise and just compromise, public rejection, racial segregation, racial segregation of the military, voter initiatives discriminating against gays, politics can make our world more just and secure
Everything Potent is Dangerous / Humanities, FYEX / Fear immoderate zeal, moderation, classical virtues, self-control, responsibility, obligation
A Balance Between Nature and Nurture / Women’s Studies, Geography, Political Science / Shared experience, social justice, child-rearing, balance between nurture and nature
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness / Political Science / Freedom, life’s indivisibility, government and liberty, freedom of speech, the search for happiness
Always go to the Funeral / Philosophy, FYEX / Life and death, doing the right thing even when you don’t want to
Finding Prosperity by Feeding Monkeys / Nursing, World Religions, English classes / Rituals, thinking of others, traditions, multiculturalism, faith in family
I Agree with a Pagan / History, FYEX / Relationships with others, suffering is inevitable, love is life’s meaning and purpose, tolerance
Testing the Limits of What I know and Feel / Creative Writing, English, Political Science / Religious faith, fiction is more real, pursuit of freedom
How Do You Believe in a Mystery? / Music / Mystery, inspiration, prayer, gift of creation
Creative Solutions to Life’s Challenges / Journalism, Creative Writing, English, Appalachian Studies / “Affrilachian,” creativity, art and creative expression, the power of words
Goodness Doesn’t Just Happen / Journalism, Political Science / Liberty, balance of competitive freedoms, law is a clumsy machine, pogrom, Rule of Law
When Ordinary People Achieve Extraordinary Things / Political Science, FYEX / Defending someone with disabilities, landmines, working together for change, important to take action

This chart is very general and meant to help you find an essay quickly that may fit the particular needs of your class. The Departments/Areas listed are the most obvious to the essay, but students will find value in all the essays. The essays are suited for discussion pieces and “what would you do or what do you believe?” is an appropriate question to ask students to generate discussion.

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