| ign="center"> | | | | of your life. Think about it - if you decide that |
| Identity is based on many things. For some people | | | | mercy is your true principle, will it not take you in |
| it is their job. For others it is religion, race, favorite | | | | the direction of liberating animals from shelters |
| sports team, style of music you listen to, or | | | | and finding them homes, making conditions better |
| dietary lifestyle (like vegans). These labels | | | | for prisoners, and organizing to feed the hungry |
| perform an important function in our everyday | | | | and poor? These are examples of things that will |
| lives. They filter out information that would make | | | | simply flow into your life if you choose a path of |
| our brain too saturated with things we do not | | | | mercy. |
| want. In a world with so much information | | | | Your idea of mercy may also change over time, |
| saturation, this is as important as ever. | | | | unlike more rigid ideas like your birth religion and |
| Think of all the different traps that Republicans | | | | keeping traditions - they usually end up dividing |
| and Democrats fall into when they have to put | | | | more than they unite until some clever people |
| together a basis for running for office, what laws | | | | step in and radically change things, like making a |
| they would pass and which ones they would try | | | | cultures unique traditions accessible to new |
| to abolish. The thing is, is that when politicians are | | | | audiences. |
| not harping at each other on public TV, they are | | | | While I identify myself as part of the personal |
| schmoozing together and cutting deals. This is | | | | development community, it is far from a |
| mainly because of the rigidity they are mostly | | | | community with rigid doctrines and rules. It |
| forced to portray to look like "strong minded" | | | | changes all the time. The seeking for fulfillment |
| individuals. | | | | and quality of life are "true north" principles as |
| The problem with identity based on an outside | | | | they mean something different to everyone, but |
| source (like, say, being a Steelers fan) is that the | | | | we all relate and search for them. The really |
| outside source can be changed at any time. What | | | | interesting thing is that once you realize your true |
| happens if the Steelers get sold, and all of a | | | | north principles, much of your life will make so |
| sudden the team gets moved to Alabama or | | | | much more sense. |
| some other state, changes name and players, and | | | | Don't be afraid, however, to use these rigid |
| only has the faintest little glimmer or what it used | | | | principles in everyday life to make things more |
| to be? | | | | smooth. It is not what you say, but what you do |
| How would Steelers fans feel about that? You are | | | | that people really notice. That is, the people you |
| right in that they would probably feel an empty | | | | want in your life. Remember that Dr. Seuss quote: |
| void that has absolutely nothing to do with them | | | | "...those who mind don't matter and those that |
| as people. It was their choice. | | | | matter don't mind." |
| Many people included authors I've read such as | | | | If you are reading this website, then anyone that |
| Steven Covey and Steve Pavlina of a prinicple | | | | would really look down on you for being a |
| called "true north" principles, such as service to | | | | Democrat or Republican is probably not someone |
| humanity, spirituality, the quest for power, or | | | | you would be really interested in keeping close |
| humility as being the principles upon which you | | | | ties to anyways. Let go of identity traps in your |
| must choose to latch yourself onto. You can | | | | mind. Create more peace in your life by |
| internalize these principles until they become a | | | | embracing the entirety of your own condition. |
| part of you and they will then lead the direction | | | | |