I Believe …

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You know I love me some underdogs.

It’s not just being the anti-favorite in a game or in life – it’s a lifestyle. It’s humility and hope, it’s dreams and down-to-earth. It has one common ingredient, one building block that makes everything else possible. And without it, it’s tough to accomplish anything.

It’s belief.

To believe it’s possible marks the first step. Not to sound all Dali Lama on you, but it’s true. I believe in a universe of beliefs. Weeks ago, I started a list, both serious and funny. It came together, 42 beliefs.

Just in time for a post I wanted to write in support of a special supporter of this blog. You’ll see in No. 42.

What’s something you believe?

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1. I believe the lessons kids learn without riches in life will serve them longer than if they had them.

2. I believe when you believe in a child, you should tell her. You replenish that reserve of jet fuel she’ll tap into right when she needs it.

3. I believe if you call yourself an expert – you aren’t.

4. I believe it’s best to confront fear to conquer it – unless it’s poisonous snakes, lava, or a band of Tusken Raiders.

5. I believe in the excellence of the University of Colorado Buffaloes. I also believe in the evil of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers.

6. I believe in the power of fierceness. I also believe in the value of patience and the knowledge to appreciate the best time to apply each. Also, in humor, for times you’re not sure which.

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7. I don’t believe in as a rotten day. How could you call it that if you haven’t even had lunch? A rotten morning, yes, but don’t damn the day for that.

8. I believe that words are only part of what we say.

9. I believe annoyance isn’t the best way to start a conversation with a 14-year-old. It’s especially not recommended in the morning, before school.

10. I believe the day you become a dad happens on the day you stop fretting over the condition of your car’s paint. The same goes for stains on the living room floor or how messy your hair becomes.

11. I believe the best way ensure people treat each other right might just be to treat each other right.

12. I believe that if you find yourself in sadness, turn the examination inward. Focus on yourself. That’s the healthiest step anyone can take with a broken heart.

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13. I believe Norah Jones’ “Come Away With Me” ranks as one of the greatest love song ever written.

14. I believe having to pick between pork or spinach enchiladas can be nothing but sad.

15. I believe when you feel flat, those who love you see you as anything but.

16. I believe it’s wise to exercise our little bit of crazy occasionally, or it might fade away.

17. I believe John Denver’s “Annie’s Song” also rates as one of the greatest love song ever.

18. I believe an aware and compassionate person enhances the world in profound ways they couldn’t if they simply sat in a church pew.

19. I believe when kids show their character, it’s not all a reflection of what we tell them. It’s also a peek at what we’ve model for them.

20. I believe Taco Night can’t go wrong – unless you serve tofu or other agent of Satan.

21. I believe a child who smiles when she plays soccer understands the game in ways I wish we all did.

22. I believe we wait for a magic moment to change our world. Really, that transformation happens in increments leading to that moment.

23. I believe it’s boss to eat birthday cake on days it’s no one’s birthday.

24. I believe 96% of Christmas trees qualify as majestic. The other 4% are still regal.

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25. I believe all ice skating to be a beautiful defiance of physics.

26. I believe it’s helpful to sum up our year, even if parts elicit pain. We can check back on the words and see what we’ve conquered.

27. I believe in the pursuit of what I assume I should accomplish, I lose sight of what I’ve become along the way.

28. I believe I speak to myself in ways I’d never dream of speaking to anyone else.

29. I believe profanity should at least follow correct grammar.

30. I believe my soul feels every bit introvert. Myers-Briggs can still call me an extrovert.

31. I believe for those blessed with children, or those who never become parents or have a difficult road to parenthood, there exists a reverence for the parts of it over which we hold no control.

32. I believe nothing smells and feels quite like a fresh newborn in your hands. A bacon cheeseburger presents a possible exception.

33. I believe we should worry less about what happens. If we can invest in what comes after, we’ll find happiness. At least I hope we can.

34. I believe a single song can turn around a day.

35. I believe I AM an alpha male, even if I’m not a mighty lion. Don’t be fooled.

36. I believe when we sweat the small stuff for those we love, it demonstrates a cognizance of the whole picture.

37. I believe in lucky socks.

38. I believe TV kids should be quieter.

39. I believe after watching an episode of “Dance Moms,” I’ll remain a soccer coach.

40. I believe that if you drive close enough to my back bumper that I not only can’t see your headlights, and also can smell what you had for breakfast on your breath, I won’t drive even 1 mph faster.

41. I believe it’s OK for Latino dad to find a refried beans recipe from a white lady’s food blog.

42. I believe that incredible things are possible when we not only search for the answers we seek, but also hold out to the universe the gifts we have.