PRINCIPLES, BELIEFS AND VALUES 19/01/2010

I think it is important to live my life according to my principles, beliefs and values.  Of course to do that I must know what they are!  I am using the term 'principles' in my blog, but I am really talking about principles, beliefs and values interchangeably.  Probably incorrectly!

Another blog that is really just me getting things written down to help work out my thoughts on the subject!

In each of the early decades of my life there were key questions I asked before I acted, these made sure I acted within in ways that aligned with my principles.  I like to think I had other values too, but these are the ones that were applied to the key decisions.

My Teens

“Would you be ashamed to tell your mother you did that?”

My 20’s

“If you really want to do it, and nobody will get hurt, just do it”

“I would rather regret the things I did, than always wonder about the things I didn’t do”

My 30’s

“What does your ‘best’ life look like and how can you work towards it?”

These questions evolved, I didn’t ‘choose’ them. 

My 40’s

I wonder what ‘question’ will capture the values I live by in my 40’s. I am hoping it will be something like:

“Does this feel like the right thing to do?”  “Right” being defined by the principles below.

(I have grouped them as many are on a ‘theme’.)

My Principles

Me:

Live by your own values. Others may think they know best for you, but you're the one who has to live with the consequences of your actions

Take responsibility for meeting your own needs, but don't do it in ways that keep others from meeting theirs

Be yourself

Others:

Relationships are more important than things

Give more than is expected from you.

Treat others as you would wish to be treated

One of the greatest paradoxes in life is that you get more when you give more.

Deliver opinions with thoughtfulness and respect

When things go wrong:

Learn from your failures and don't be afraid to fail often.

Fix your mistakes.

Apologise
Accept apologies graciously

Forgive yourself and others. We're all doing the best we can to find our way.

Make the most of everything:

Open your heart
Balance your life

Open yourself up to other human beings

Look at sunsets; smell the flowers; listen to the birds; touch the people you care about; taste life. Everything you need is there for you.

Listen to your body and take care of it. It's the best teacher you have now.

Laugh often and long. It really does help.

Look at everything through the eyes of a child

Believe in miracles

Progressing:

Hang out with people you like and admire. We tend to imitate those around us whether we want to or not.

Follow your dream. Life is exciting when you're pursuing your own goals—and you can do and have most anything you really want.

Life isn't fair, but it isn't unfair either. When things don't seem to be working for you, do something. Movement is the key to change and life itself.