Principles, not goals

It struck me the other day, how can we live in such a way that we could die any time without regret? You cannot know how long your life will last. You may die tomorrow. If so, what will become of all your uncompleted goals? They will dissolve, disappear into the vortex of space and time. If we live for the goals we achieve, our entire life’s purpose can be wiped away at any instant.

On the other hand, if we live a life of principle, each day has value. Each day stands on its own, a day lived well. Organizing a life around principles means that the value of life is in living it – life itself is what becomes worthwhile. Goals point outside ourselves, and often have no ultimate reference. Principles point within (or from the inside out?) to the divine spark at our core.

This does not mean that you should not have goals. Only realize that goals are slippery, and goals are only attained at least in part by grace, not through the exercise of will alone.

Principles, on the other hand, are a solid ground on which to stand and live life proudly. By living through them every day can be made sacred and whole.

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