tales of an ordinary girl

Mojoey at Deep Thoughts has tagged me with a meme about principles.

It’s meme time for me again, this one coming straight out of my own brain! I got to thinking recently about the idea that all of us, as humans, have principles we live by daily. These aren’t your over-arching beliefs neccessarily, but rather the things that you do daily as a part of those beliefs. So, for example, it’s not that I’m an anarchist, but things I do daily in line with that. I’ve kept it to 5 on my own, but there’s no hard rules on this meme; name as few or as many as you’d like! Likewise, no limits on how few or how many (if any) people you tag… do whatever is comfortable!

Hmm... so here's the principles that I try to live by daily.

Help those in need
A big part of my charity "epiphany" was to look for those who need help and help them, whether it's as simple as giving someone I work with a stamp or change or noticing the homeless people around me and giving them something whether it's food, money, or just listening to their story and sympathizing.

Be considerate
In stead of jumping to conclusions when someone is rude or unkind I try to be be understanding and polite in return. I don't always succeed and sometimes I get angry and then act rude and unkind. But it's not just trying to treat people well, it's also considering what that person may be going through. As a friend of mine once said, "Everyone has a bad day sometimes." I don't think people are assholes because they find me repulsive (though some may), but because they're just having a bad day. Maybe if I can make it a little better they'll stop being assholes.

Own up
I had this huge problem as a kid of never wanting to own up to my mistakes. You know, like I didn't make mistakes. It was someone else or there were extenuating circumstances, or, or ... Now I try to just admit I make a mistake without an excuse and when I say that I'm sorry I mean it. And I know sorry doesn't fix the damage that's been done or force anyone to forgive me.

Slow down and enjoy
I'm the type of person who gets so caught up in what's happening next that I forget to enjoy what's happening now. So I try to enjoy the moment. Sometimes it works. Sometimes I still find myself hating every car in front of me as I rush home to do absolutely nothing.

Appreciate people
Of course I appreciate my husband and I try to show him how happy I am to have him in my life and tell him. But how often do I tell my co-workers, friends, or even strangers. When someone makes my day I try to let them know how much I appreciate it, even if that person is standing behind a counter at a store and I'll never see him or her again.

I'm tagging:

Life is a PB Sandwich
Cafe Philos
Just Married Chilean Style
Janet, Keith, Matthew, and Josie
Sylvene