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Thirty Things I Believe When Tarak McLain's kindergarten group celebrated their 100th day of class, some kids brought 100 nuts or cotton balls. Tarak brought a list of 100 things he believes. Now a first-grader, Tarak shares his top beliefs about God, life, nature and war.
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This I Believe

Opinion

Thirty Things I Believe

Heard on Weekend Edition Sunday

By 

Tarak McLain

Thirty Things I Believe

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Seven-year-old Tarak McLain was born in Thailand and lives with his family in Austin, Texas. He collects and hands out food to the homeless and raises money for orphans and impoverished schools. He reads about the world's religions and listens to public radio. Sloan McLain hide caption

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Sloan McLain
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Tarak says he believes in helping the poor. He raises money by organizing yard sales. Sloan McLain hide caption

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Sloan McLain

Tarak says he believes in helping the poor. He raises money by organizing yard sales.

Sloan McLain
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Tarak says that he believes in nature and that people should go outside more. Sloan McLain hide caption

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Sloan McLain

Tarak says that he believes in nature and that people should go outside more.

Sloan McLain

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"I believe that when I meditate I feel peaceful," McLain says. Sloan McLain hide caption

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Sloan McLain

"I believe that when I meditate I feel peaceful," McLain says.

Sloan McLain

I believe life is good.

I believe God is in everything.

I believe we're all equal.

I believe we can help people.

I believe everyone is weird in their own way.

I believe hate is a cause for love.

I believe that when I meditate I feel peaceful.

I believe we should be generous.

I believe brothers and sisters should be kind to each other.

I believe kids should respect their parents.

I believe I should not whine.

I believe people should wake up early.

I believe people should go outside more.

I believe in nature.

I believe people should use less trees.

I believe we should help the Arctic and rainforest animals.

I believe people shouldn't throw litter on the ground.

I believe people should not smoke.

I believe God is in good and bad.

I believe in magic.

I believe people should not give up.

I believe love is everywhere.

I believe that God helps us to have a good time.

I believe we live best in a community.

I believe we can protect people in danger.

I believe we should help the poor.

I believe it's OK to die but not to kill.

I believe war should not have started.

I believe war should stop.

I believe we can make peace.

Independently produced for Weekend Edition Sunday by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman with John Gregory and Viki Merrick.

This I Believe invites you to submit your own statement of belief in lieu of commenting on these essays.