This I Believe

I substituted an English class a couple weeks ago at the local high school, and the assignment was to write a “This I Believe” speech. A “This I Believe” statement is a 500-600 word narrative essay focusing on personal, core values, rather than a list of beliefs. Based on a 1950’s radio broadcast by Edward R. Murrow, where he encouraged people to write short essays about their personal motivations and then would call the writers to read those essays on-air. “This I Believe” became a cultural phenomenon that stressed individual beliefs rather than religious philosophy, popular at the time. Some of his guests were famous, while others were everyday people.

          From 2005-2009, NPR revived the program, which has also been revitalized in Europe and Canada. NPR’s collection can be found here: This I Believe : NPR  Since 2009, Public Radio International (PRI) broadcasts a weekly “This I Believe” segment, which airs on Public Radio and Sirius XM. Several books have also been published with collections of “This I Believe” essays. Copies of the essays read on-air can be located at the movement’s homepage: Home – This I Believe.  There are also several book collections of these essays.

          As I read these high school juniors’ essays on what they believe, which covered topics such as drug abuse, independence, standing up for yourself, why NC fishing rules need to change, and my personal favorite: changes in being raised today from previous generations, I began contemplating what my own “This I Believe” statement would be about. The fun thing about these essays is they could be about anything because everyone has their own belief system. The key is: there needs to be a statement that says this I believe inside the essay.

          Below you will find my “This I Believe” statement:

Names are extremely important. This I Believe. As a writer, I consider the names of my characters, and their function in the story before I settle on one. In early drafts of Eleutheria Dylan was Declan. Dylan was more fitting of the character.

There is a trend to create quirky names (Naveah/Jericho). Unpronounceable names (X Æ A-Xii). I often wonder what people are thinking when they name their child. That name stays with you for life. Those trendy names may be cute now, but will they still be cute when the child is 50? In a way, your name defines you. Names should be well thought out and intentional. Names can be clever without being overcomplicated, and the name should grow with the child. Also, I believe a child shouldn’t be embarrassed by the name you give them.  Quirky names can be bold, unique, and usable.

My name is Morgan Laine Lehman. This name was given to me before I was born. Because of this, I have never struggled with who I am. I am the namesake of Teresa Elaine Morgan Durant. I will carry her namesake with me proudly now and always. My entire life it has been my goal to make my grandma Teri proud of me—to live up to her name.

Morgan means “sea-born” and Laine (derived from Elaine) means “shining/brilliant torch.” From a young age, my grandma called me Sunshine; she loved me; we were each other’s person. I cannot explain the connection we had. Maybe, it was the name. Maybe—this is what I believe—we were connected through space/time—we were meant to be in each other’s lives. When she passed away in 2003, I was the last person she spoke to. At her memorial, many attendees told me had to speak with me before she moved on. I was troubled by this—offended people felt she held on just for me. I remember being very upset at her funeral because I didn’t feel her spirit (everyone else said it was strong), but later that night when I was alone, I knew she came to visit me.

Years later, I believe it was her way of telling me everything was going to be okay. She was taking care of me and my needs. This, I believe, was her last earthly wish. Even today, 23 years later, she still takes care of me. Randomly, throughout my life, I will find dimes (where there shouldn’t be dimes), and I know they are from her. She’s letting me know things will be okay; especially in times of high stress. Other people will find these random times, but the most special ones are just for me. Even the others, I know are meant for me, somehow.

My Grandma Teri is always with me. Special moments in my life that happened without her, didn’t really. I know she was there. Graduations. Promotions. Life decisions. She’s in my writing, that’s why my pen name includes her name. Everything I do in do in her name—I carry her name proudly with me. Someone doesn’t have to be physically with you to be with you. This I believe.

My name is more than a label. It’s my identity. It was the first gift I received. Morgan connects me to my heritage, culture, and my mom and grandma’s hopes, dreams, and intentions for me. Morgan tells my personal story. While there are other Morgans in the world; there’s only one this Morgan. This I believe. This I know.

I challenge everyone to write their own “This I Believe” statement. They are a quick and easy way to explore your simple personal beliefs. You can have more than one. We all have many core beliefs. If you don’t know what to write about, read some of the examples for inspiration. There are literally hundreds! After you’ve written one, you can share the essay with others. It’s always good to let others know what we believe. It helps them understand us better.