Philosophy: (noun)

– a theory or attitude that acts as a guiding principle for behaviour.

Code: (noun)

– a set of conventions or moral principles governing behaviour in a particular sphere.

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Do you have a philosophy or code that guides your life? Or you might know it as an attitude, mantra or belief system.

I don’t know about you but for me, having ‘that thing’ that guides my take on life makes all the difference. And, the older I’ve become the more I’ve realised how important it is.

I’m sure many people are getting ‘affirmation fatigue’ so I don’t want to make this post about that, but I’ve found that this affirmation age has been a great way for me to put a label on my life code.

I’ve narrowed it down to five statements that underpin my life and how I approach it.

HOLD THE VISION, TRUST THE PROCESS

I’ve realised that your end goal is what is important; how you get there  not so much.  Sure, you want the how to be somewhat pleasant, but if that bit doesn’t go as planned, that’s ok. Trust that it will work out, as it should.I read this about 12 months ago and it’s stuck with me since. As someone who is prone to a touch of ‘over thinking’ and anxiety about things, this has been great for me.

I THINK, THEREFORE I AM

Another biggie. Nothing like a bit of self-doubt or self-sabotage to bring you right down and keep you from getting where you want to be.

What you think about yourself does affect you. Your sense of ‘self’ radiates from you and other people pick up on it.

IT DOES NOT DO WELL TO DWELL ON DREAMS AND FORGET TO LIVE

For all the Harry Potter fans out there, you’ll know where this came from. For those laughing at me for quoting something from a children’s book … think about it. It’s not a bad set of words.

It’s a fine line sometimes between having a dream, and being so caught up in that dream that you’re forgetting the ‘here and now’.

Life is as much about dreaming big as it is living and loving the now.

SOMETIMES, LIFE IS ABOUT RISKING EVERYTHING FOR A DREAM ONLY YOU CAN SEE

Have you ever believed in something, but everyone around you just didn’t get it? Have you let their beliefs or insecurities prevent you from pursuing that dream?

It might be you starting your own business; quitting your job and volunteering around the world; or pursuing a cause that you’re passionate about.

It’s hard but sometimes you have to ignore the naysayers and forge your own path.  You can’t let those people hold you back from what you want to achieve.

BLOOD MAKES YOU RELATED; LOYALTY MAKES YOU FAMILY

There is a difference between being related and being family in my book.

Now, I’m expecting I might cop some criticism for this last one, but it’s something I truly believe to be the case.

I know that many people hold family (i.e. anyone that shares the same genes) extremely close, and believe that bond can never be broken and is without conditions.

I know some people believe that being related gives them a level of entitlement or a free pass to behave a certain way, or cross boundaries that others might not.

I hold a slightly different view.

To me, family is a combination of my relatives (some, not all) and those people whom I’ve brought into my life and I’m really close to.

I do not believe in the notion that being related to someone binds you to them for life and that you have to endure their antics because ‘you’re family’.

I’ve witnessed other people suffer decades of misery and relationships destroyed at the hands of ‘family’.

I’m sorry, but if someone you’re related has such a poisonous affect on your life, you have every right to walk away from that relationship and have nothing to do with them.

You would not let a stranger in the street treat you like that, so why do you let those who are supposedly closest to you?

I could write a whole blog post on this topic alone, but the point I’m trying to make here is that I have learned by watching those around me (and some of my own experiences) that the people you have in your life, shape you and affect how much you enjoy life.

To that end, I now only include people in my life that are the type of people I want to be around. The people who support me and whom I support in return.

They are the people who understand that I’m risking it all to pursue my dream; send me words of encouragement; and have my back in any situation.

They are the people who I would do absolutely anything for.

To me, that is family.

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What’s your philosophy for life? I’d love to hear what other people use to guide their lives, or if you even believe in having a life philosophy at all?