Personal Life Philosophy
Emily K. Yates
I was fortunate to have many great mentors when I began to define myself several years ago. Many of these mentors helped me find more guides in books. I love to read a variety of books regularly. There are so many authors that I could pay tribute to but I think I will stick to four main ones for the purposes of this paper.
These four books, each solidified my personal truths and point of view are as follows: ‘Creativity: Unleashing the Forces Within’ by Osha; ‘Atlas Shrugged’ and ‘We the Living’ by Ayn Rand; ‘“Looking for God: A Seeker's Guide to Religious and Spiritual Groups of the World’ by Steven Sadlier and ‘The Life of Pi’ by Yan Martel.
Creativity
The first book is by Osha, titled Creativity: Unleashing the Forces Within (Insights for a New Way of Living)” gave new meaning to personal satisfaction. This book focused a lot on understanding that we each need outlets for personal expressions. I relate to needing to find an outlet for creativity and that this personal outlet needs to first be for you, not for show and outside approval. I see myself as an artist and writer regardless of whether my employment presently reflects that.
Politics and Humanity
In Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged’, the heroine, Dagny Taggart voiced my feelings with her declaration “I shall never allow someone to take my pity for them and use it as a weapon against me.” Her books, including “We the Living”, formed the foundation of my political and social views and became my personal ‘bible’ when I was in my teens. I believe that I need to be challenged and to earn what I have. Earning my failures and successes gives me ownership and empowers me to the full benefits of both. If I can pass along the blame for my mistakes how can I ever truly learn and take away the full lesson? The same logic applies to my successes. I have earned what I have and take pride in that. This is very much the reason I am a Libertarian.
Private charities and organizations seem to do the best in assisting those with needs. When this is turned over the government we seem to find many examples of blanket rules and exceptions. Many are lost in the paperwork. If you see someone in need, follow your instincts in assisting them. I never give away money but instead happily supply time or supplies. This is a reflection of my personal opinion agreeing ‘that teaching a man to fish is far more productive than giving him one’.
Spirituality
“Looking for God: A Seeker's Guide to Religious and Spiritual Groups of the World’a by Steven Sadlier is an unbiased compilation of global religions, outlining belief systems, history and sources and references for additional information. I have looked to this book frequently when I was puzzled by an individual with a religion I was unfamiliar with. This book has helped me many times and given me a better understanding of what their thoughts may be and why with its objective material and information.
Lastly, ‘The Life of Pi”, by Yan Martel, was incredible book that contributed vastly to my own life and beliefs. One of the main subjects that jumped out to me the first time I read it was the main character’s embrace of three very different religions; Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. His worship practices seemed to joyfully include all three without any conflict for him. The author greatly helped me make peace with my own views and opinions. I try to re-read it at least every other year.
Everyone has their own perception
I believe we each have a unique perspective of life because of who we are. Even two people born and raised in the same household with the same treatment, affections, experiences and rules will still have, at the very least, slightly differing points of view. It’s important to recognize this and to accept that you may not be able to accept or understand all of me and I will likely not be able to accept or understand all of you. I developed this mentality a long time ago and continue to use this point of view in many situations. It has helped me to shrug off what I don’t relate to and to focus on what I do relate to instead.
On the a larger scale of community and countries, I believe that some truths will resurface time and time again because there are rules that human civilization must follow in order to survive and progress as a whole. As long as society follows some of basic rules we can get along and grow. One such example is murder, that “in all societies, there is a rule that unjustifiable homicide is wrong and deserving of murder.” (Schmidt) (1953). “Liberal” Christianity evolved, partially due to public demand, to be more accepting of art and science (Schmidt) (1953). “Liberal” Christianity has held onto some topics, such as the Golden Rule, while letting go of other outdated ones such as stigmatizing the pursuit of science. Their God has transformed from a tyrannical to loving deity to appease these needs. Other religions have not yet developed this mentality and we see the repercussions in slaughter and lack of tolerance towards other faiths while maintaining their own beliefs. I believe in humanity and I believe that these religions will progress in due time. Access to education, personal and public will slowly change present mentalities.
In summary
In summary I believe in personal responsibility, personal accountability and the ability to hold onto what I earn and to celebrate my success. It is up to me to choose my life, to take it as my own. The good and bad will happen regardless of my efforts sometimes, but how I see it and what I do with it is up to me.
These four books, each solidified my personal truths and point of view are as follows: ‘Creativity: Unleashing the Forces Within’ by Osha; ‘Atlas Shrugged’ and ‘We the Living’ by Ayn Rand; ‘“Looking for God: A Seeker's Guide to Religious and Spiritual Groups of the World’ by Steven Sadlier and ‘The Life of Pi’ by Yan Martel.
Creativity
The first book is by Osha, titled Creativity: Unleashing the Forces Within (Insights for a New Way of Living)” gave new meaning to personal satisfaction. This book focused a lot on understanding that we each need outlets for personal expressions. I relate to needing to find an outlet for creativity and that this personal outlet needs to first be for you, not for show and outside approval. I see myself as an artist and writer regardless of whether my employment presently reflects that.
Politics and Humanity
In Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged’, the heroine, Dagny Taggart voiced my feelings with her declaration “I shall never allow someone to take my pity for them and use it as a weapon against me.” Her books, including “We the Living”, formed the foundation of my political and social views and became my personal ‘bible’ when I was in my teens. I believe that I need to be challenged and to earn what I have. Earning my failures and successes gives me ownership and empowers me to the full benefits of both. If I can pass along the blame for my mistakes how can I ever truly learn and take away the full lesson? The same logic applies to my successes. I have earned what I have and take pride in that. This is very much the reason I am a Libertarian.
Private charities and organizations seem to do the best in assisting those with needs. When this is turned over the government we seem to find many examples of blanket rules and exceptions. Many are lost in the paperwork. If you see someone in need, follow your instincts in assisting them. I never give away money but instead happily supply time or supplies. This is a reflection of my personal opinion agreeing ‘that teaching a man to fish is far more productive than giving him one’.
Spirituality
“Looking for God: A Seeker's Guide to Religious and Spiritual Groups of the World’a by Steven Sadlier is an unbiased compilation of global religions, outlining belief systems, history and sources and references for additional information. I have looked to this book frequently when I was puzzled by an individual with a religion I was unfamiliar with. This book has helped me many times and given me a better understanding of what their thoughts may be and why with its objective material and information.
Lastly, ‘The Life of Pi”, by Yan Martel, was incredible book that contributed vastly to my own life and beliefs. One of the main subjects that jumped out to me the first time I read it was the main character’s embrace of three very different religions; Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. His worship practices seemed to joyfully include all three without any conflict for him. The author greatly helped me make peace with my own views and opinions. I try to re-read it at least every other year.
Everyone has their own perception
I believe we each have a unique perspective of life because of who we are. Even two people born and raised in the same household with the same treatment, affections, experiences and rules will still have, at the very least, slightly differing points of view. It’s important to recognize this and to accept that you may not be able to accept or understand all of me and I will likely not be able to accept or understand all of you. I developed this mentality a long time ago and continue to use this point of view in many situations. It has helped me to shrug off what I don’t relate to and to focus on what I do relate to instead.
On the a larger scale of community and countries, I believe that some truths will resurface time and time again because there are rules that human civilization must follow in order to survive and progress as a whole. As long as society follows some of basic rules we can get along and grow. One such example is murder, that “in all societies, there is a rule that unjustifiable homicide is wrong and deserving of murder.” (Schmidt) (1953). “Liberal” Christianity evolved, partially due to public demand, to be more accepting of art and science (Schmidt) (1953). “Liberal” Christianity has held onto some topics, such as the Golden Rule, while letting go of other outdated ones such as stigmatizing the pursuit of science. Their God has transformed from a tyrannical to loving deity to appease these needs. Other religions have not yet developed this mentality and we see the repercussions in slaughter and lack of tolerance towards other faiths while maintaining their own beliefs. I believe in humanity and I believe that these religions will progress in due time. Access to education, personal and public will slowly change present mentalities.
In summary
In summary I believe in personal responsibility, personal accountability and the ability to hold onto what I earn and to celebrate my success. It is up to me to choose my life, to take it as my own. The good and bad will happen regardless of my efforts sometimes, but how I see it and what I do with it is up to me.
References
· Rand, Ayn “Atlas Shrugged” 1957 Print.
· Rand, Ayn “We the Living” 1936 Print.
· Schmidt, Mark Ray ‘Constructing a Life Philosophy’ Pg. 155 1953 Print.
· Sadlier, Steven ‘Looking for God: A Seeker's Guide to Religious and Spiritual Groups of the World’ 2000 Print.
· Martel, Yan ‘The Life of Pi’ 2001 Print.
· Rand, Ayn “We the Living” 1936 Print.
· Schmidt, Mark Ray ‘Constructing a Life Philosophy’ Pg. 155 1953 Print.
· Sadlier, Steven ‘Looking for God: A Seeker's Guide to Religious and Spiritual Groups of the World’ 2000 Print.
· Martel, Yan ‘The Life of Pi’ 2001 Print.