Living According To Your Principles
Living According To Your Principles
Identify your principles and align your life to them
A few years ago a dynamic and insightful spiritual teacher in Los Angeles named Rabbi Mordecai Finley told his congregation, "If you want to find out how well you are living up to your spiritual values and higher principles, pay close attention to how you behave in the middle of an argument or a tense moment involving someone you live with, work with, or are in love with."
—Leonard Felder,The Ten Challenges
These words hit me hard. I’ve been trying to live my life according to my principles, but I’m not always successful.
Living according to your principles means aligning your actions and decisions with the values and beliefs that are most important to you. It involves consciously making choices that reflect your personal integrity and staying true to what you consider to be right and ethical. Here are some key points to consider when living from your principles:
Identify your principles: Take time to reflect on what values and principles matter most to you. These could be honesty, compassion, justice, fairness, integrity, or any other core beliefs that guide your behavior. Last year I undertook an exercise to identify my principles. You can read about them here.
Clarify your priorities: Determine which principles are most important to you and prioritize them. This will help you make decisions and take actions that are in line with your values.
Set clear goals: Define specific goals and objectives that are aligned with your principles. This will give you a sense of purpose and direction in your life, allowing you to make choices that contribute to your overall vision.
Practice self-awareness: Be mindful of your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Regularly reflect on whether your behavior aligns with your principles. If you notice any inconsistencies, take steps to realign yourself.
Be consistent: Consistency is essential when living from your principles. Strive to maintain integrity in all areas of your life, whether it's in your personal relationships, work, or interactions with others.
Stand up for your principles: Sometimes, living by your principles may require courage and standing up for what you believe in, even when it's challenging. Be willing to defend your values and take a stance when necessary.
Seek personal growth: Continuously work on personal development and self-improvement. Explore ways to deepen your understanding of your principles and expand your knowledge and perspectives.
Surround yourself with like-minded individuals: Connect with people who share your principles and values. Building a supportive network can provide encouragement, accountability, and inspiration to stay true to your principles.
Learn from setbacks: Recognize that living by your principles doesn't mean you'll never make mistakes or face challenges. Embrace setbacks as learning opportunities and use them to grow stronger and refine your approach.
Practice self-reflection: Regularly assess how well you are living by your principles. Engage in introspection and evaluate whether your actions and decisions are consistent with your core values. Adjust your course as needed.
Living from your principles can bring a sense of fulfillment, authenticity, and purpose to your life. It requires self-awareness, conscious decision-making, and the willingness to prioritize your values above external influences. Remember that everyone's principles may vary, and it's important to define your own based on your unique beliefs and aspirations.
♥
Corinne
This Week’s Love List
Reading
The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos by Kelly Irvin - Two sisters work to heal lingering childhood wounds and seek a new balance in work, family, marriage, and love when one receives a diagnosis that sets the clock ticking.
The Power Of Writing It Down by Allison Fallon - Where did you get the idea that, in order to write, you needed a publishing contract, a degree from a fancy university, or a cabin in the woods? Why is writing something you long to do but you don't give yourself permission?
Creating
For me, writing has been the best way reflect and move forward. It has also been a way to process my hurts and start healing. I would love to help you, dear reader, to find a way to heal through your writing. Over the next month, I’ll be sharing #WritingToHeal prompts in my Instagram stories. You’re welcome to use these for your own growth and healing. If you want to know more do contact me and we can chat about this.
Watching
Family Reunion on Netflix - An American sitcom created by Meg DeLoatch that follows a family of six who move from Seattle to Columbus, Georgia for the McKellan Family Reunion and decide to stay to be closer to their family