My name is Jay Greeson. See, that’s my picture right up there.
It’s probably safe to believe that if you recognize me, it’s most likely from my time working in the sports section. I believe that we did a good job there, and it was fun on a lot of levels, but I believe there is a chance to move forward — both in the paper and in our discourse — in the future.
What do you believe? No, not so much on a spiritual level (although I highly recommend it, and I know Jesus and me got things worked out), but on your practical, day-in, day-out fundamental belief system that helps shape and define who you are and your place among us.
We all have emotional bonds — good or bad — to our families, and most of us likely try to believe in those who believe in us. But beyond that, what do you believe?
My list is somewhat simple and ever-changing.
I believe there are few things in this world as pure as the satisfaction of cutting your own grass.
I believe that the best sounds in sports are a ball rolling in the cup, the crack of a wooden bat, a Jimmy Chitwood-pure swish and metal spikes on the concrete walking to the dugout.
I believe that Michael Moore has every right to say what he wants about any movie he sees and that I have the right to say Michael Moore is a blowhard windbag who will never get a dime of mine.
I believe country musicians should approach their jobs like baseball players and know that if they are working they should be wearing a hat.
I believe in offering a helping hand to those who need one but not in handouts to those who expect it.
I believe every person I’ve ever met who carried a pocketknife was trustworthy.
I believe most of what Mark Twain said, especially the life lesson that “the harder I work, the luckier I get.”
I believe the individual should be focused on what he can do to help serve our nation, not what national services can be focused on helping the individual.
Most important, I believe in what I believe, and understand that you believe in what you believe.
I also believe that the world was a better place when both sides embraced that fact. It was a time before fast-forwarding the commercials because we were too busy to be bothered by Flo pitching insurance or Larry Culpeper slinging Dr Pepper and taking selfies with a trophy.
No, there won’t be a get-off-my-lawn rant and your radio is fine whether it’s loud or soft — as long as it’s not that dreadful Hick Hop new country mess.
We, as a society, are blessed with the ability and the opportunity to believe, but we are enlightened when we embrace the opportunity and ability to listen.
There was a time when we listened and even heard each other. We explored each other’s beliefs and examined and discussed the merits and flaws in each without assailing the messenger or undercutting the idea because of which camp it came from.
In fact, I believe that the serious crossroads before us as a country and as individuals can be traced back to two defining defections: when the genesis of an idea became more important than the idea itself, and when ‘timeout’ became the nuclear option of parental punishment.
We may disagree, but I believe we all should be able to believe that that is a good thing.
You can have your beliefs and I’ll have mine. We may agree. We may not. But I also believe that if we can recalibrate the dialogue to a tenor that fosters discussion rather than diatribe and insight rather than insults, well, that would be unbelievable.
Jay Greeson’s column will appear on Page A2 on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. His sports columns are scheduled for Tuesdays and Fridays. You can read his online column the 5-at-10 Monday through Friday at timesfreepress.com after 10 a.m. Contact him at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter at @jgreesontfp.