It’s been a while since I’ve done an I Believe post.
Not that I don’t still believe, because I do. Some days, it’s easier than others to see it. Every day, though, we carry with us beliefs. Mine pop up in conversation, email, texts, comment responses, court depositions.
Kidding on that last one.
What do you believe? I’m only slightly (and very slightly) embarrassed that probably 37 of 42 statements here are food-related. Forty-two, also, is not by accident. It’s supposed to be the answer to the universe.
It’s the only non-prime number I dig in a big way (and I realize an easy way to say non-prime would be composite, yes.)
Some things you must believe even if doing so doesn’t feel like a stellar idea. It’s in your fabric. I believe I’ll be more cognizant of these beliefs now, and that feels good. I already have a good start on I believe … IX.
1. I believe every restaurant should have paper to draw on – and crayons – instead of tablecloths.
2. I believe even superheroes need some PTO.
3. I believe I get lots done in a cafe even when I get nothing done.
4. I believe happiness and deliciousness come from the same buffet table.
5. I believe my life is an abstract coloring book.
6. I believe if our least fine or least-wise moments don’t kill us, and, further, give us stories to tell, we should blog about it.
7. I believe emotional and intellectual risks take more courage than physical ones.
8. I believe it must be tough to be born on Dec. 24 or Dec. 25, and share a birthday with The Savior. I just have to jockey with Owen Wilson and Megyn Kelly for Nov. 18.
9. I believe faith requires no membership card.
10. I believe coaches try to win the World Cup on Saturday with children when their battle should be to foster love for the game and individual and team accomplishment instead.
11. I believe measuring cups are just suggestions.
12. I believe no matter who is president, cookie dough will be the winning ticket.
13. I believe frozen mojitos are a responsible drink choice, given the possible heat index of any given summer day.
14. I believe brownies for breakfast feels like a national movement waiting to happen.
15. I believe all good friends should have a funny Taco Bell story.
16. I believe I’m in favor of participation medals if they encourage us to strive for times and places that don’t include them.
17. I believe if I didn’t write, then my spleen would probably rupture.
18. I believe how our kids express themselves is the best form of art ever.
19. I believe secret handshakes are best with Cheeto-orange fingers.
20. I believe sometimes the toughest and most painful experiences hold within them the most valuable lessons, too.
21. I believe dreams are the cheese on the cheeseburger of life.
22. I believe showing kids compassion and pride impacts their self-worth.
23. I believe all essential ingredients for nachos should be sold from a central location in all grocery stores.
24. I believe I’ll never outgrow the hope of a snow day.
25. I believe bear claws beat push-ups. Every single time.
26. I believe The Pursuit of Cheese could be the working title to my autobiography.
27. I believe any day that begins with pancakes is destined for greatness.
28. I believe the older you get, the earlier it gets late.
29. I believe ice cream for breakfast ought to be a thing.
30. I believe courage is everywhere, from trying marmalade to saving the world.
31. I believe gift cards, as a dude accumulates Father’s Days and years, are the best gifts of all.
32. I believe the comeback is everything.
33. I believe a fist-bump from the Creator isn’t a bad way to end your shift in this world, after a life of service, compassion and contribution.
34. I believe that almost midnight, 10:05 a.m., 12:05 p.m. … it’s always a good time for a glass of milk and a cheeseburger.
35. I believe good-morning pizza could make Mondays feel like Fridays.
36. I believe a day can’t go wrong very easily if it contains street tacos.
37. I believe Mexican food is life force. (Yes, that’s four straight food I believes.)
38. I believe wobbling Pontiac Grand-Ams have important missions in this life.
39. I believe Havarti is an art form.
40. I believe dreams are so crucial. I mean, if we don’t have dreams, life is just mortgages and sore hamstrings, and with them, life is extra cheese and January Jones movies.
41. I believe music is just about as essential to life and love as cheese is. For real.
42. I believe if parenthood isn’t an adventure, you’re doing it wrong.
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Just a dad ... 
What an entertaining and insightful read, Eli! Most enjoyable!
Thanks, CC. These things just pile up, so I tossed them in one bucket.
I love this.
I believe I will be stealing this post for my own use.
Thanks, Court – I just needed to collect them all in one place. send me a link when you do this!
I believe, regardless of the circumstances, that all things work together for the good of those who love God. If you go for it, everything will be fine. Your business, your family and everything!
Faith mean so much, doesn’t it? Why not go for it? Seize the day.
Thank you, Eli. For so many opportunities for reflection !!!
Thanks for stopping by! Always a good chance for some reflection, even if it’s just about snacks.
Love it!
Hey, thanks.
The hubs actually snorted at the Cheetos secret handshake. Personally, I like #11–it’s a metaphor for life.
My fingers are Cheeto-stained anyway, so why not, Cricket? And measuring cups for Cheetos sounds downright fascist.
Great list, especially #s 1, 11 and 24 🙂
To eat at a restaurant with paper on the tables, whose chef doesn’t believe in measuring cups, on a snow day, would be a nice way to spend a Thursday afternoon.
Love #5 and #6!
I have a feeling they apply to you too, Ashley.
love these, especially #8, because my birthday is november 18th too )
How did I not know this, Beth?
I believe I live everyone of these!! 😍
I share my birthday with Robert DeNiro, Sean Penn… oh and Davy Crockett. My poor brother was born on Dec 25. It just isn’t fair because he always gets 2 in 1 presents. 😞
That’s quite a foursome, you, Bob, Sean and Davy. That doesn’t mean nothing, you know.
I know some kids do a half birthday if theirs is too close to Christmas – but I also some kids do a half birthday even if theirs isn’t, and that’s a problem, America.
Yeah… well I have known most of my life I was born on the same day as Davy Crockett. I didn’t find out about the other guys until much later…lol.
I don’t remember if my brother did half bdays in the middle of the year. I’m going to say probably not. He is my half brother and we didn’t grow up together so I wouldn’t know one way or the other. But knowing him…my dad etc it is probably a safe bet he only got to celebrate in Dec.
I wonder if Davy Crockett knows, Courtney. They all knew, i suspect.
Hell, we were lucky to get our real birthdays. I’m exaggerating. My mom always made sure we had a special day.
Half brothers should automatically get half birthdays. I always wondered about the kids born on 9/11, too.
Quite a life you live, then, Courtney!
OMG! That was supposed to say LOVE all of these. That’s what I get for commenting with out my glasses on!! 🤣🤣🤣
The cool thing is that it made sense both ways! I often write my posts without my glasses on.
*reads carefully with glasses on to make sure no mistakes this time* 😉
Mistakes are the discounted cheese slices of life, Courtney. #love
#22 and #37 YES!!
The Woody and Cheetos pic is EPIC, Eli. 😉
We show kids that they’re worthy of compassion by showing it to them – not demanding they show it, don’t you think, Lindsay? Plus, Mexican food … I’m eating a quesadilla as I write this.
I found that Woody/Cheetos picture on photopin.com. I need to do more with my Stormtroopers, after seeing that! (I carry one in my pocket everywhere, just in case.)
Hey! It just happens that I have a funny Taco Bell story!
One night, I went through the Drive Thru with a friend. We tried to order nachos, but they were out of cheese. We tried to order tacos, but they were out of taco shells! We finally settled on burritos and ordered Dr. Pepper. They were out of Dr. Pepper.
I’m always down for a funny Taco Bell story, Karen! I’ve known Subway to run out of bread. I would think every Taco Bell would keep a 372-pound barrel of nacho cheese under the building somehow.