My Personal Life Philosophy (aka the left-brain half of my compass)

reflections along the way

I rather love the synchronicity that led to the creation of this document. This will be a supporting resource for the next hcaw episode coming out in a few days, titled “A Compassionate Lens.” I’d already recorded that episode when another local project I participate in inspired this write-up.

I serve on the Council of Elders for a local intentional community that is currently iterating; examining its culture and making changes to better serve the needs of its members. My role in that community is to support this development of intentional culture with organizational elements and structure that offer predictability and order, and support peaceful conflict resolution. I work directly with their “Camp Facilitator” on communication, mediation, community rhythms, social events, etc.

We have reached the point in development where community expectations need to be established. I recommended that rather than rules or even agreements, that the organization get really clear on their Core Values and develop some general Guiding Principles. Some of my clients will recognize this language. When I talk about being on “solid ground”, this would be the left-brain half of what it means to have a strong internal compass. (The other right-brain half being our inner wisdom that is communicated to us through bodily awareness.)

Prior to this document, this personal philosophy of mine still mostly just lived in my head. Of course, I’ve communicated aspects of it through my writing, but I’m pleased to have captured it in this form. I was relistening to this lesson I recorded several weeks ago in preparation to publish it, and I recognized that I ask learners to start work toward clarity of their core values and get really intentional about their own personal “world-view.” I realized this document is an exemplar of that work:

My Personal Life Philosophy

Well-vetted values and having an intentional life philosophy combined with an attuned, loving relationship with self provide a strong, principled internal locus of control. Having this in place gives one a compass for life, a decision-making heuristic that allows the individual to move through the world with confidence and intention.