What I Believe: A Personal List of Values

Several years ago, I wrote a list of things I believe about the best way to live. At the time, I was reading numerous books and websites about personal development, health, habits, mindfulness, ethics, religion, and so on. I wanted to write a concise guide to myself that summarized some of the crucial ideas about living well and doing good that had become close to my heart and which I wanted to uphold in my daily life.

I occasionally modify this list, but it has largely remained unchanged since I first created it. It is a document I visit somewhat often, especially when I want to remind myself of who I want to be. It's not a comprehensive list of things I believe, and I think that its contents are a reflection of my areas for growth, rather than of my areas of expertise. (You may notice that there is nothing in this list about seeking justice, maintaining individuality, or speaking your mind--important values, but ones that historically haven't been much of a challenge for me.)

I also think that it reflects my deepest concerns about humanity and the way we treat each other. If I could direct a megaphone at the world, these are some of the things I would want to shout. If we all lived by these principles, we wouldn't go to war and kill each other, we wouldn't cruelly and needlessly slaughter billions of animals, and we wouldn't hate or ignore the people who truly need love. I guess you could call this my "Be the change" list, because these are the changes I want to see in the world, recognizing that the only person I can change is myself.

I am rather far away from being this person, but I think it is good to know the direction you intend to go if you want to get somewhere specific eventually.

This is my current "What I Believe" list:

1) Always strive to consistently and deliberately apply your beliefs and uphold your values when making any choice or taking any action, however insignificant or vital.

2) It is good to live peacefully. Do no harm.

3) Be loving. Practice empathy and altruism towards friends, enemies, and strangers. Develop your compassion and give it freely.

4) Treat all humans equally well. Don’t criticize, judge, or dismiss before you seek to understand.

5) Face reality, and take responsibility if you reasonably can. Hold yourself accountable before trying to change others. Blame can lie fully with more than one person.

6) Be of good humor and slow to anger and irritation. Have goodwill towards your fellow humans. Don’t act as though others intend to hurt you, and don’t be easily offended.

7) Choose a few creative hobbies to occupy your leisure time. Reading, writing, music, art, dancing, spending time in good company, playing tabletop games, sports, enjoying nature, learning languages, and science are good options. Exercise your mind, body, and soul frequently, and do so in ways that you enjoy.

8) Eat a healthy, seasonal, and locally-produced plant-based diet. Drink water.

9) Be genuine and tactfully honest with everyone you meet. Listen more than you talk, and talk about things that matter. Things most worth saying are both kind and true.

10) Be honorable both in your actions and in your intentions. 

11) A good decision considers what is best, not just what is right.

12) Take action on your plans as soon as you reasonably can and should. Procrastination is a vice.

13) Be patient and calm. Practice mindfulness. Be present.

14) In all of the above, strive for excellence, consistency, and authenticity.

If you've never written a list like this, I'd encourage you to do so. How do you want to be in the world? What's on your list?