You gotta believe.
Itās an essential part of being a parent. Or a blogger. Especially a Colorado Rockies fan. There isnāt much in this world that doesnāt get a bit sweeter with belief. In fact, the lack of it is grotesque, like those Poptarts without frosting.
Blech.
In the course of my discourse and my writing, I say stuff. Sometimes, itās about Ingrid Michaelson or enchiladas. Other times, itās about beliefs. Not just in Jesus or Buddha or the power of the changeup pitch, but sometimes.
I keep the ones I remember in a file until I get 42.
Forty-two is the answer to the universe, so it felt right. Then I string them together. Let me know which resonate with you. Or give me your own #IBelieve statements. Most are from blog comments or responses. Some are just shit I say.

I believe instant Zen would feel so cheap! I’d rather have a journey to show for it.
I believe I find that my peace found on the course has little to do with my score and more to do with how much I can let go of the world for 18 holes.
I believe you should never trust gas station coffee, dollar-store pregnancy tests, and any promise of instant Zen.
I believe those can be unnerving moments when our kids play parrot with our bad words. They also make for great stories later.
I believe lavender in the diffuser is probably more beneficial than enchilada sauce, but can you imagine?
I believe a pause is enough time to suffocate a thousand ills.

I believe the traffic on the low road is definitely always in a snarl.
I believe kindness is like a fresh-shaved leg. Or, something!
I believe kindness gets ignored like ginger snaps in the cookie world, but man, are they good when you get them.
I believe that even an attempt at kindness is a thousand times better than the exclusion of it.
I believe kindness is contagious, and even if someone is immune, it does us good to give it.Ā
I believe a clean house is overrated. Give me family time in a bit of chaos every time.

I believe if crescent-shaped shadows aren’t magical, I don’t know what is.
I believe it’s awfully tough to be bitter with gratitude on your breath.
I believe sometimes itās better to live life for a while than it is to write blogs about it.
I believe any recipe that doesn’t call for the bag of chocolate chips in its entirety is fascist and ought to be snuffed out of the deliciousness vernacular.Ā
I believe there’s always another good blog to be found, isn’t there?
I believe a prayer ought to feel different than reciting your Christmas list to Santa.

I believe advice is sometimes about life. Other times, it’s about toppings on your sub sandwich.
I believe in a thousand years, humans will have thumbs the size of a lobster’s because of texting and human evolution.
I believe cupcakes > juicing, also.
I believe my to-do list looms in a daunting way but if I can dig into one spot for a day, well, the load gets lighter.Ā
I believe there’s always room for unforgettable.Ā
I believe the beauty of dressing inappropriately is that we don’t realize it’s inappropriate.

I believe cringe-worthy is often the final arrow in our quill as parents.
I believe I’ve never worn a bikini … but I have smiled like Buddha in a Taco Bell ā¦
I believe repeated gratitude is almost as good as a second enchilada.
I believe in the hustle of hustling, it’s easy to forget why we’re hustling.
I believe commas are like cookies. Iād rather have one too many than one too few.
I believe pizza while doing anything is stellar. STELLAR.

I believe I’d rather eat happily and not get back in my size 32s than eat loads of plants and be miserable!
I believe taco talk is underrated.
I believe the best cravings know no time constraints.
I believe a laugh and a taco are pretty even currency.
I believe every day should be Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day.
I believe, when youāre cooking, love’s the best ingredient. Right after vanilla and brown sugar. Letās be realistic.
I believe my girls are humble, gritty and kind. They often lead with the grit, but the humble and kind aren’t far behind.
I believe there’s a huge elemental shift when you’re grateful for what you have – yet not content to sit pat. It means that you’re good, whether you win next or lose.
I believe good soup knows no season.
I believe a gratitude garden is a wonderful idea. A gratitude cookie jar?Ā SUBLIME.
I believe a hard lesson learned is better than an easy ride of ignorance.Ā
I believe saying no to our kids is tough, but saying yes to everything is devastating.Ā
-30-
I believe the answer is sixty-two fifty. Or at least that is my answer. And I agree that traffic on the low road is definitely always in a snarl. Best to take the road less traveled. š
I can get on board with 6250. Why not? Looks like a flight number. I’m digging the road less traveled. it’s probably rural highway 6250 honestly.
It has a way of showing up in the least likely places. It is one of the ways I know I am on the right path.
I hope it shows me a path, too. I’ve been seeing lots of 7s lately.
7s? 7s are good.š
Sevens seem stellar. I tend to gravitate toward prime numbers. I notice them more too.
Same here.
āI believe kindness is contagious, and even if someone is immune, it does us good to give it.ā This is so so true.
I also believe in the power of tacos. Mmm.
Tacos are kindness in manifest. (I think that’ll make the next I believe post!)
I believe that you know what’s important and what really matters.
Thank you, Beth – even sometimes outside the echilada plate.
I believe the journey of life is rich…and full of miracles. When we slow down long enough to breathe, listen and reflect, we enter the day with an open heart and mind. Your girls are beautiful, strong young women. Congratulations, Dad.
Good one, Carrie. I’m finding it hard to breathe and listen today, so your message is a good reminder. I’m so proud of the people my girls have become! Thanks.
I believe a smile is a universal word.
It’s good stuff everywhere, Crick!
The more gratitude, the better. Life can never be overseasoned with it.
I feel the same way about cheese, generally. š§
These are all so amazing, Eli. I can’t think of anything you didn’t already cover. Love the photo of your girls and that they have ‘grit’.
Thanks š, Lisa! It took me months to round these up. And that photo is kind of old, but still it feels like yesterday they were that little! Gritty, indeed. And also compassionate. How can you beat that?
I believe I love reading all these and also that believing and knowing are sweet like tea and cookies, on the porch at dusk. Beautiful post Eli. Have a sweet week. š
Now THAT’S an image. Thank you, Michelle. You too!
I believe the Universe knows what I need…if I just stop and listen.
You’re so right on, Kath. And even when we do listen, we often don’t like what we hear.
I believe a picture is worth a thousand words, and words of kindness can change someoneās day.
I like that one. We often hoard the kind words like they’re expensive when they’re absolutely free. Right?