Try Living by These Core Principles

Try Living by These Core Principles
by
October 28, 2024

It’s been said before that life is twenty percent the hand you are dealt and eighty percent how you play that hand. What we all recognize is that wise living requires making good decisions and responding to unforeseen circumstances as you go. Most of the world’s religions offer guidance on what it means to live a meaningful and purposeful life. This might not be the same for everybody but is it possible to boil that wisdom down into certain core principles? Here is my humble attempt to do that.

1.  Live by the Golden Rule. Treat other people the way you want to be treated. Speak to other people the way you want to be spoken to. Imagine that you are the recipient of your own words and actions. How might that feel?

2.  Believe in something bigger than yourself. For many, this is God or the divine. Yet we now live in a culture of self-aggrandizement that borders on narcissism. We must realize that we are not the center of the universe. Others matter more. Sacrifice and service are important.

3. Don’t dehumanize others. All human beings are children of God and deserve to be treated with respect. Rather than judging somebody, attempt to get to know them and understand their story. You might make a new friend.

4. Return cruelty with kindness. Kindness is a conscious choice that we make every day. Usually, we fail to be kind when we are stressed, tired, fearful, or in a hurry. Nobody has ever regretted choosing kindness, even when others are harsh and mean-spirited.

5. Don’t believe everything you hear or read. We are living in an age of misinformation and it’s only getting worse. Check the source closely. Try to get to the truth. Make your own judgment call on what is true and what isn’t.

6. Cultivate your primary relationships. We find joy in life because we get to share it with others. Relationships take work and attention. They cannot be put on cruise control. Give your best to the people who deserve your best – spouse, family, friends.

7. Know your priorities and your values. Being overly busy is not always a good thing. Sometimes the busiest people are spread too thin and overextended. This may work for a little while, but it always catches up with you. People who know their priorities make decisions around them and say no to less important things.

8. Forgive people who have hurt you. This is more for you than for them. Holding on to anger and resentment will shorten your life span, something that has been medically proven. Forgive, and let things go. Move on. Start again. Resentment hurts the soul.

9. Don’t become cynical. The temptation will always be there, but it accomplishes nothing. Spread hope and positive energy to others. Be a positive influence for good. Don’t be the person who criticizes everything.

10. Find time to rest and recharge. Recognize that self-care is essential. God provided the sabbath for a reason, but our world seems to think it is optional. If you don’t rest, you will crash and burn out.

11. Be a peacemaker. Many people love peace but far fewer work for peace. Reconcile with a friend. Talk things through. Apologize when you get it wrong. Remember that peace must start within and radiate from there.

12. Choose love over fear. Love is something we put into action. Jesus said it was most important. Too many people in our world are unloved, unseen, and unappreciated. Be somebody who seeks to encourage and not tear down. Love can conquer many ills.

This list could certainly be longer, but it’s a great start. Living by these fundamental principles will make a dramatic difference, both in your own life and to those around you.

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