There are those uncomfortable times when I am challenged to reevaluate my beliefs. It comes at those moments when I’m confronted by the hard fact that there are those who believe so differently than I. The question is forced upon me. “Where are the facts underlying my beliefs?” Whose “truths” am I to believe?

I admit it. My radio dial is tuned to Maine Public Radio. The news I watch on television is the public channel. My friends tend to live their lives by much the same set of beliefs by which I live my life.

But then I read an article in a local newspaper challenging those beliefs. Or the radio gets changed to another station by my garage mechanic, and I hear statements on radio talk shows that are astounding to me. Or on a telephone call with a relative from Texas, I learn that even some of my dear ones are telling me how they intend to vote on an environmental issue. And suddenly I’m confronted by the fact that there are others whose truths are not my truths.

Thoughts go racing through my mind. How can anyone believe that there is even a small chance that our Earth is in distress? Where have they been these past 20 years when I’ve been learning, slowly at first, but rapidly in the past five years, that we have so little time to spare? Even if they don’t read The Nation, do they not read National Geographic? Where is the source of their truth?

It is frustrating. I want to change their minds. I feel it is urgent that they change the way they live their lives.

Impossible. But where shall I find my choices?

I begin to mentally list some of my sources of truth. Scientific journals, such as “Nature,” or “New Scientist.” Environmental facts as shown in “World Watch,” which is published worldwide and in many languages. Historic facts that clearly show the decline in the health of our Earth, as shown by authors such as E.O. Wilson. Publications that come from my memberships in organizations dedicated to nature. My own observance of the destruction of wildlife habitat. The world population figures that have grown exponentially over my lifetime. And I am assured that our current lifestyles are unsustainable.

The answer, of course, is there is only one choice. I must “keep on keepin’ on.” Until those other “truths” can show me, in writings or lectures by scientists not paid by the oil industry, that the Earth can continue to sustain the assaults brought on my me and my fellow Earth travelers, I will hold fast to my beliefs. My small voice must continue to speak out for the Earth. I must continue to live my life by my set of beliefs. They are my truths.

Sally Breen lives in Windham.