Michael Swaim
v_114
2nd Place Award


No Virginia, No Gods, No Santas.

Well, let's start by saying that you are real. Your thoughts,
beliefs and feelings are real as well; they are made up of your
experiences and your perceptions, and they exist inside your
mind. But more importantly than being real, are they true?

Not always. For example, optical illusions, dreams, and distorted
memories can fool your perceptions, so you shouldn't assume that
just because you see something, or believe something, that thing
is so. Many people make just that mistake. Like when you look
into a dark corner of your bedroom and imagine a monster, many
people imagine that they have seen or felt something in the
universe that isn't really there. When you turn the lights on in
your room, your sight lets you know there wasn't really a
monster. But the universe is so big, and has so many dark
corners, there is a lot of room for people to imagine fairies or
Gods lurking 'just out of sight'.

If those people paid attention, they would see miraculous things
happening all the time! Who needs Gods or fairies when there are
stars shining in the sky, or children like you growing from
single cells all over the world? Maybe because there are so many
miracles happening around us, people get used to them and start
looking for miracles elsewhere. That's natural, but let those
feelings push you to discover what is spectacular about reality,
not make up realities that you have no reason to believe. Don't
stop yourself from imagining what may be around the corner, but
don't make up your mind what it is until you've had a good look.

Part of exploring is being able to question your own beliefs too,
and if there is enough evidence against them, not being afraid to
start over. As scary as that may seem, it's much better than
clinging to a belief you know is false. After all, we've all been
fooled by a magic trick before, but we don't still believe in the
magic after the magician shows us how the trick was done. Only
those beliefs that stand up under doubt are worth acting on.

Virginia, as someone who seeks truth, it is your responsibility
to be honest with yourself and aware of others. Remember, most
people are like you: curious, sometimes frightened, and always
testing their beliefs. Treat them the way you would like to be
treated, and you encourage them to do the same. No one likes
being hurt, cheated, or lied to. If you'd like others to help you
in your journey towards discovering what is real, then it's in
your best interest to be thoughtful and careful of others'
feelings.

Keep exploring, and always question, even yourself. You clearly
know how to do that, because you've already asked the smartest
question anyone can ask: 'what is real?' We are all finding out
together, Virginia, and the only way we will ever continue that
adventure is if brave people like you keep on asking.