I would say that I’m a man of principles.
There are some rules and morals I try to live my life by, if just to be a good person and to be the best I can for others. Well, it’s not so much a set of rules as it is an intent that I have when making decisions or taking actions. It’s hard to put into words, but if I were to do so, it would go something like this:
Empathy. Empathy, I’ve found, is incredibly important to me. If I can understand how someone else feels and if I can see things from their point of view, then I can both get along with them better by knowing how to act towards them and negotiate and communicate more diplomatically. Too often, people are so absorbed in their own needs and worldview that they refuse to try to think from another perspective or put the needs of others on the same level as their own. Sometimes, a little empathy is all it takes to cool down, think things through, and find a solution that everyone’s happy with.
Stay true to myself. I know who I am, and I’m proud of it. I’m a nice guy, a bit of a geek, I’m Jewish, and a writer. I know these things to be true, and I won’t let anyone mock me for being these things or put them down. It wasn’t until after high school that I could really express some of these things (you know how people at school can be to nerds), but it’s the identity that I’ve forged for myself. And, you know something? I like me.
Lastly, and this is one of the hardest ones to stay true to: always look on the bright side of life. It’s hard to stay optimistic sometimes, especially when life seems to turn against you and you feel “forever alone.” However, moping isn’t going to change anything. I find it’s important to remain optimistic for the future, as I believe that everything will work out in the end. Getting there may be tricky, but we have to earn our happy endings. Until then, keep pushing on, overcome all that may get in your way, and remain secure in the knowledge that all will be well.
Those are three of the most important ideals I hold on to. There’s more to me than just that, of course, but those are some of the most important core values. Everyone has their own, of course, but I hope that by sharing mine, you can come to understand me better.
Photo uploaded to Flickr Creative Commons
