Faith.

I can't stand people who preach religion. This is, in part, due to the fact that I can't stand preaching in general, but is also largely in part due to the fact that I, personally, don't believe that one set of ideals, beliefs and morals can fit multiple people, let alone large groups of them. We are individuals. Independent thinkers with our own philosophies and moral compasses and manners of doing and being. We have different ideas of 'right' and 'wrong' and all of the gray area --or lack thereof-- that may or may not exist in between. Our opinions on every little thing vary from one person to another in one way or another. Big or small. Because we are not only independent thinkers, but we are also, as a direct result, independent believers. These two things go hand in hand.

And these belief systems of ours? They tend to change as we grow. Sometimes they change from day to day. I know that I, personally, am sometimes at a complete loss for what to believe in. Constantly blurring the lines between what I do believe and what I want to believe. Some days I believe in a higher power, sometimes I believe we are the higher power. Sometimes I believe in 'meant to be' and 'everything happens for a reason'. But sometimes I believe less in 'fate' than I do in beautiful mistakes.

Sometimes I pray. A quick and silent thought sent up in a time of need or beauty. An offer of 'please' or 'thanks'. But sometimes a part of me thinks that's completely and utterly ridiculous. That we make our own destinies. Do for ourselves as we can, as we see fit. That we walk through this life and stumble upon things that take our breath away and make us feel lucky. Things that bring us to our knees and leave us sobbing. And then sometimes I wonder: who puts these things here? Whose plan for me is this?

I don't want to get into my own personal beliefs. To do so would be entirely too complicated, simply because sometimes I believe everything and others I believe nothing at all. My point is, I don't think that anyone can always put all of their faith in one set of beliefs. Even if they aren't constantly changing. But I do think that the decision to do so lies in an individuals hands. The decision to believe what we'd like to, when we'd like to and how we'd like to is uniquely ours. It's not something we should see as a guide or basis to judge others. It is not something we should push onto others. Because as our beliefs are ours, theirs ought to belong solely to them. Unjudgeable. Untouchable.

Today I believe in fate. Today I believe that the silent prayers I sometimes send up sometimes get answered. And that the times that they don't? Well there's something better in store for me. Today I believe in destiny and all that that entails. But tomorrow? Tomorrow I may just believe in beautiful mistakes. And I'm okay with that. I'm okay with the fact that my beliefs are ever-changing and constantly evolving and the fact that I don't exactly know every little thing about myself like the back of my hand. And if I'm okay with that, you ought to be too. And if you aren't? Well, if I can't figure out my own beliefs, I certainly don't need to add yours to the mix.