Here's a Friendly Reminder

Family, faith, and country have long been the foundation of our nation’s success. These core values shape our society and contribute to its greatness. Other values also serve as our guiding light, helping us lead happy and productive lives. Yet despite their obvious importance, people often need friendly reminders from parents, teachers, or bosses to recognize and follow them. Why are these reminders even necessary?

Guiding Principles That Shape Us

The following are key principles for living a fulfilling and productive life. This list is just a starting point for identifying the values you hold dear. As author Idowu Koyenikan said, “A highly developed value system is like a compass. It serves as a guide to point you in the right direction when you are lost.”

Personal responsibility can’t be delegated. If you look in the mirror and don’t like what you see, don’t blame the mirror.

Choices are easy; living with them is the hard part. You have the freedom to choose, but you’re not free from the consequences of those choices.

Your mindset matters more than you think. Watch what you believe because your beliefs have a way of becoming your reality. If you believe you can’t…you won’t.

Keep your promises. When you make a promise, you’re not giving your word in erasable pencil, you’re inscribing your commitment in indelible ink.

Go the extra mile. If something needs to be done, do it. It may not be your responsibility, but it’s a task worth doing.

The only person you’re qualified to judge is yourself. Virtue isn’t demanding more of others; it’s expecting more of yourself.

Treat others the way that you want to be treated. Take the shoe-on-the-other-foot test. How would you feel if the tables were turned?

Always try your best. You don’t have to be the best, but you should always give your best effort.

Be kind to yourself. It’s one thing to expect perfection from yourself, but quite another to beat yourself up for falling short.

Mind your manners. Being polite may seem like a small thing, but it says volumes about who you are.

Pull your own weight. Be a team player rather than expecting others to shoulder the burden.

Think of others before yourself. You can make a difference in someone’s life or focus on improving your own.

The truth never lies. Always tell the truth, or the truth will tell on you.

Be the reason someone smiles today. Throw kindness like confetti.

Remember your roots. Reach for the stars, but never lose sight of the garden that you grew in.

Offer a helping heart. Be kind to someone who’s in no position to help you.

Material possessions wear out; memories last forever. Money should never be the cornerstone of your life, nor should it define you. Moments, rather than possessions, are the true treasures of life.

Do what’s right. Knowing what’s right isn’t as important as doing what’s right. One of the true tests of integrity is refusing to compromise your honor at any price.

It’s your life to live. Own it! The more you choose to accept responsibility for your life, the more power you’ll have to determine your destiny.

Lead by example. Words express what’s on your mind, but your actions reveal what’s in your heart.

A Friendly Reminder

These principles are essential to living a life of integrity and purpose. It’s not enough to believe in their importance — you must practice them every day. Don’t wait for friendly reminders from others; let these values be the driving force in your life. Regardless of what others say or do, stay true to your values and let them be your North Star. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny.”