Articles of faith

When I was growing up, I believed in a lot of things.

As the years passed, most of these beliefs were questioned, melted away or discarded as nonsense.

Here then are a selection of things I don't believe in, followed by what I do believe in.

I don't believe in god; gods; angels; demons; tree spirits; ghosts; ufo's; aliens; ouija boards; heaven; hell; buddha; allah; santa claus; the tooth fairy; the devil; the bogeyman; remote viewing; spoon bending; clairvoyants; psychics; mystics; guru's; experts; bureaucracy; databases; governments; politicians; heisters; schmeisters; bankers; wankers; terrorists; freedom fighters; people's liberation armies; xenophobes; homophobes; patriots; racists; karma; life coaches; therapists; psychiatrists; telekinesis; telepathy; time travel; gangsters; hoods; zealots; single issue pressure groups; bigots; compulsory education; the demonisation of young people; the stereotyping of old people; the music industry; the film industry; nepotism; sport; gated communities; capitalism, or drains.

I do believe in giving of yourself; trying; breathing in and out; laughing raucously; crying; feeling shit some days; family; loved ones; friends; listening; giving a damn, anarchism; choice; collectivism; justice; freedom; equality; love; individuality; sharing; losing gracefully; winning magnanimously; doing the right thing; sticking your head above the parapet; being cheeky; being irreverent; fun; sniggering at the wrong moment; cremation; one life; jack russells; swearing; authenticity; toast; having fun; variety; new experiences; walks in the woods; holidays; music; wine; coffee; jam; art; theatre; european film; nature; sunlight; science; being generous; living life to the full; keeping calm; switching off; daydreaming; corny jokes; silence and radiators.