Your 10 Guiding Principles for Life

During the High Holidays, when we strive to live with a heightened awareness, it's important to be clear on your priorities in life and not get caught up with endless distractions. Here's a simple exercise to help you stay focused.

Write down 10 of the most important principles you believe in that shape your life priorities. What are the big-picture fundamentals that you know deep down should be guiding your decisions and that you all too often forget about in the daily grind? It doesn't matter if they're obvious or simple; you're not trying to impress anyone with your list. This is your private reminder of the principles you ultimately want to be living with.

It doesn't matter how well it's written, and whether or not you're a philosopher. Just write, and later you can hone your list down, and perhaps share with others.

Here's my list, in no particular order:

(1) I have free will and can choose to wage battle against my yetzer hara, my lower self. I am responsible for my actions. There are no excuses, only eternal consequences. God is filming everything, and isn't going to turn a blind eye. He expects the most from me. Choose life!

(2) The only real failure in life is not trying. Don't be afraid to take on new challenges and risks. I never know what good will come from my focused efforts, but I do know what will come from not trying.

(3) Am I nurturing my most important relationships? Be affirming, positive, giving to others.

(4) I have an obligation to learn and know the entire Torah. What is my plan to accomplish this? What am I doing about it?

(5) Am I making God welcomed and comfortable to be with me in my day to day life? Am I thinking inappropriate things? Am I viewing inappropriate things? Am I wasting time? Losing my temper? Being critical and judgmental? Am I even thinking about God?

(6) Am I taking care of my health?

(7) This world is a corridor to the Next World. My life ― right here, right now ― is to create eternity by choosing wisely, to connect to God and become more and more like God. Get moving; this opportunity is quickly evaporating.

(8) It doesn't matter what others think of me. My self esteem comes from recognizing that I am a pure soul, loved by God, striving to do my best.

(9) I am responsible for the Jewish people. With the majority of Jews intermarrying and assimilating, there is a grave spiritual crisis, as well as a serious physical threat to Jews everywhere. What am I doing about this? What else can I do?

(10) If I'm not pushing myself beyond my comfort zone, I'm not really living. Life in this world is for growth and struggle.

(11) (I know I said 10, but how can I not include this one?) God is the ultimate reality, the transcendent source of all existence. There are no accidents; everything happens for a reason and is somehow for my good.

That's my list. What's yours? Please share some of your core principles in the comments section below.

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Published: September 24, 2006

Visitor Comments: 42

(40) Narendhra, January 20, 2013 1:35 PM

Excellent

Your writing is awesome.Best principles to follow.Please continue your writing .Thank u so much

muthama, April 17, 2013 12:31 PM

sweet one!congrat

such amazing and a sweet principles to live by

(39) Honey, December 12, 2012 9:22 AM

Amazing

Your Writing is amazing

(38) Lee Kotze, November 14, 2012 8:24 AM

I'm a Gentile but every word is applicable to my own life

This is awesome thanks. There are so many Non-Jewish people walking around wanting to grab the cloak of the Jew, hence we try and do it via FB for one. Even though I can't care in the same way for Jewish people like a Jew can, even that is important to me. As for the rest, wonderful guidance. Even getting into the Torah. We have no other choice.

(37) J. PLANTER, October 4, 2012 6:05 AM

On the way to destination: the following items are useful- determination, courage, discipline, humility, focus, prayer, etc

(36) Abood, September 23, 2012 7:09 PM

Grateful

Your principles mad my day :) and remind me that god watching us and take our revenge from our enemies and gave us a lot to thank

(35) Ann, August 19, 2012 9:47 PM

My Core Principle

"HaShem, I am Yours and only Yours; always and forever I belong to You and only You." To realize this is to strive to live a better way, as He wills best. It is to know what to say and do when the y-h tries to bring us down to its level. That is what I live by.

Nancy, December 15, 2012 3:14 PM

To Ann "My Core Principle 8/19/12"

Thank you for sharing! The few simple words of your core principle were just what I needed to move ahead in my journey at this time.

(34) Shirin, August 18, 2012 3:53 AM

very inspiring!

I am a muslim and I came across this article by accident. I thought it was very inspiring and thought provoking. As muslims we are also striving for the same things. Thank you very much for sharing this important message with everyone. God willing you write more inspiring articles.

(33) Usibe, June 29, 2012 11:45 AM

In time of depression hope becomes my mentor in order not to miss the righ tract.

(32) OTENCO TUMULO, May 25, 2012 7:23 AM

ON MY WAY TO FULFILING DESTINY FOCUS IS THE FUEL THAT KEEP MY LIFE GOING.

(31) Anonymous, May 19, 2012 6:18 AM

we should help others nd make people happy..

thatz vry guidng principles of life.. but still there should be some other rules n principles..!!

(30) Prash, May 2, 2012 3:13 PM

I try not to do bad things- now I have set a standard for a bad thing- My Father and Mother will not get heart/offended / feel ashamed while performing the task/thing.

(29) akeel hussain, April 13, 2012 5:28 AM

mast group

i m less selfish and more kind hearted,

(28) ENR.HENRY.C.O, March 30, 2012 3:10 AM

bigboy2yk@yahoo.com

ALOts of tnx.it is a wise point to every living creature.am loks for a way to make a wel undstand principle of life tool long,bt now i ve cen the track tnx

(27) Anele Antoni, March 28, 2012 8:50 AM

I am living a dignified life by means of an opportunity to fulfil one's potential, which is based on having a human level of health care, education, income and security.

(26) lerato baloyi, January 22, 2012 5:28 AM

informed decision

I was not aware that my decisions were really informed by my principles, thanx

(25) Patty, November 24, 2011 1:04 AM

This has been very helpful. Thank you.

I have been thinking of making my life principles and was not sure how to get started. Your ten (eleven) are very helpful to me. Thank you.

(24) Shulamis Mallet, August 29, 2011 4:36 AM

I forgot this very important one

Did I remember to thank G-d for sending such amazing people into my life and did I remember to tell them how very much I appreciate all their efforts. And did I remind them that I am thinking about them, too.

(23) Shulamis Mallet, August 29, 2011 4:27 AM

2 more

G-d created us to manage this world. What am I doing to leave this world a better place than when I found it? When things get overwhelming, stop and remember that G-d breathed the first breath into man and He's with us with every breath we take.

(22) aaron, July 26, 2011 5:29 PM

Good work done

honestly i love all your principle.

(21) Anonymous, July 17, 2011 9:55 AM

Read stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly effective people. A Very good book about principle-centered life. :)

(20) Dev, June 3, 2011 7:04 PM

Thank you!!!

I was surfing through preparing myself for job interviews and found all your opinions useful....thank you

(19) Unni, May 20, 2011 6:00 AM

my 10 principles

1. Do only if it’s a must 2. Overcome emotions 3. Take life as it comes 4. Positive thinking 5. be spiritual 6. Run away from enemies 7. Balance work and family 8. Respect all family 9. Ego less 10. be smart looking

(18) amongeh douglas, April 27, 2011 12:10 AM

love the last one,but the first is touching

(17) Anonymous, May 27, 2010 12:46 AM

This world is too poor to buy my principles in life.

My principle in life is to live according to the will of God.

(16) anonymous, April 29, 2010 3:01 PM

I'm really happy to know that such a person has these principles in life and its not easy to be able to live up to these principles especially with the different distractions around us. However, what really had a great impact on me as a person was your eleventh principle about recognizing God as the alpha and the omega and that everything happens for a reason. Me myself sticks to this principle and this is the only thing that i hold on to especially when i feel lost. It keeps me moving forward.

(15) ava, March 9, 2010 8:40 AM

It's good to have principles in life.

I like your principles.These are very enlightening.

(14) Anonymous, March 8, 2010 5:27 PM

I realy liked one of your guding principles, I can truely relate to with this one, which speak with me as an idividual who does not really care what people think of me...

It doesn't matter what others think of me. My self esteem comes from recognizing that I am a pure soul, loved by God, striving to do my best. Thanks, good one.. Lani

(13) Anonymous, January 31, 2010 10:14 AM

thank you for this list. I've had to make some tough desicions this week, and I kept telling myself am silly for being worried cause what about the people who have sick children where not much but prayer can be done but i kept praying and this list was the answer to my prayers blessed be hashem for he doesn't abonden his nation amen

(12) Anonymous, January 31, 2010 10:14 AM

We must never stop yearning for knowledge.This allows us to understand. Then we may become wise and be able to better understand how God thinks and can predict the future

(11) Rachel, January 31, 2010 10:13 AM

My children learn their basic traits from me. I must become the role model I want them to learn from

(10) Anonymous, September 29, 2006 11:26 AM

I found your 11 guiding principles helpful in organizing my thoughts.

(9) Yoshe:), September 28, 2006 7:47 AM

Ten Principles

1. God exists and loves us.
2. When I make a mistake, admit it out loud.
3. People, including me, are basically good and want to do the right thing.
4. Speak and do what is right calmly.
5. Consider the effects of present actions on the 10th generation.
6. Lead by example. Be the first to do what is right.
7. Do the words I tell others to do.
8. Let tears out.
9. Be equally kind to strangers, family and friends.
10. Say 'no' and 'yes' firmly.

(8) RobertMarr, September 26, 2006 1:20 PM

core principles for this year

1. be consistent in the little things.
2. show mercy instead of pride
3. be health conscious
4. share different perspectives with all people.
5. pray for my enemies as i pray for the ones i love.
6. talk about G-d and his ways all the time.
7. put myself in challenging situations
8. love myself thoroughly
9. serve people with joy and kindness
10. never give in to the easy way of life; never conform

(7) esther, September 26, 2006 8:51 AM

guiding principle

I believe that every letter of the tanakh as well as every tiniest design element in creation and every smallest detail of each situation in which I find myself is designed specifically to teach me about God, his love for man, and how I am to relate to him. May I pay close attention and be blessed by learning more of God and of His plan for me. May it teach me how to relate to him and to others.

(6) HelenGarrels, September 26, 2006 5:10 AM

I loved your list it is very well done, I could not improve on it. thanks

(5) Nehamashira, September 25, 2006 6:59 PM

Guiding principles

There is only one overriding principle that governs my life- will my actions and my love bring others closer to G-d, or will they drive them away. Our lives may be the only Tanach that some people will ever read. Does my life demonstrate the love of G-d? That is my prayer.

(4) MaryAnnSweeney, September 25, 2006 3:45 PM

My Adopted 9 Rules for Living

HANDWRITTEN SIGN FOUND ON THE WALL OF
MOTHER TERESA'S ROOM

ï‚· People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; forgive them anyway.

ï‚· If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway.

ï‚· If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; be successful anyway.

ï‚· If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway.

ï‚· What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; build anyway.

ï‚· If you find serenity and happiness, others may be jealous; be happy anyway.

ï‚· The good you do today, people will forget tomorrow; do good anyway.

ï‚· Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; give your best anyway.

ï‚· For you see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

(3) Anonymous, September 25, 2006 12:04 PM

great exercise during these 10 days of repentence

BS"D

Your article got me thinking about what principles are the most important in my life. These include being honest with myself and others; judging favorably; taking responsibity for my actions without letting them depress me; enjoying life --meaning feeling the simcha regardless of what's going on;and being modest, humble, and wise. Being wise includes knowing how to spend money, eat properly, how to live a life devoted to Hashem. That last bit of wisdom is what life is all about. It's a goal that takes a lifetime of small steps to work on. I think it's important to take one principle and commit to work on that in the new year. I think mine is going to be to judge people favorably which includes being humble and not thinking I know what's going on.

Happy, Healthy year to all!

(2) dazzle, September 25, 2006 10:21 AM

great list

it's inspiring me to make my own.

(1) YaleSchulman, September 25, 2006 9:21 AM

Excellent

A fine thought provoking article

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Your 10 Guiding Principles for Life

A tool for staying focused on what's really important in life.

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