10 things that I believe in are...

1. People are generally good. Although I may be a self-proclaimed pessimist at times, I do believe in people, especially the ones who surround me. I like to think that every person I encounter is good, well, up until they prove me wrong. When that happens, I can hold a grudge like no other person. I suppose it's because I believe in the good in people, and when I'm wrong, it's like a blow to me--something I take personally.

2. Everything happens for a reason. There's no rhyme or reason to life. Things constantly happen that we can't make sense of at the time, but then those reasons become crystal clear later on down the road. Sometimes this frustrates to no end, but I find comfort in knowing that one day I'll have an answer.

3. What goes around comes around. I firmly believe in karma, which is probably why I'm so scared to do something that could bite me in the ass one day. When you put good energy out into the world, it's bound to come back to you in some way, shape or form. The same goes with bad energy, which is why I try to be careful. The last thing I need to to do is piss off the karma gods.

4. The importance of family. I admit that when I was younger the only thing I wanted to do was run away from my family. Hell, sometimes I still get that feeling. But the reality is I don't know where I'd be without them. When you lose a member of that family, nothing is ever the same. Things change--not necessarily for better or worse, it's just different from what you've always known and that can be a tough thing to deal with. I admit, there are days when I miss the way things used to be, which is probably why appreciate my family more each day.

5. The best things in life are never easy. Good things never just fall into your lap or knock on your door. You have to work to get those things. Then, once you get them, you need to fight like hell to keep them.

6. Laughter is the best medicine. I love to laugh and I firmly believe it cures everything. How many of us have had bad days, but instantly found ourselves 10X better after watching something funny on TV or witnessing one of your friends doing something that was pure comedy? I believe in its power. It totally works.

7. The sanctity of marriage. With the divorce rate at 50% it's hard to believe in marriage anymore, but I do. I don't think it's something that should be entered into lightly and I don't think people should it expect it to end one day. When you get married you should expect that's forever, and if it's not...if you doubt it is, then don't get married.

8. Hard work. I think that anything worth having takes hard work. In order to appreciate it, we have to work hard for it otherwise we take if for granted.

9. Love. Although the way I currently live my life suggests that I don't really believe this, I think deep down I do. Romance, falling in love, finding the one...I think it all exists. It's just a matter of doing whatever it takes to find it, and I don't think everyone's willing to do that in order to get it. Right now that's me. Not sure when that'll change.

10. God. I may not always agree with my religion, but I do believe there is a higher power. It's the only thing that can explain everything we see around us.