My Values
Creativity
I am a creator. As such, I have both the potential and the innate drive to create things that make lives better (including my own).
No matter how I express this impulse — through writing, art, craftsmanship, chemistry, robotics, etc. — I put something of myself into every creation. And from that something, other things grow. I bear a living fingerprint, and I leave my own.
So, it makes sense for creativity to be one of my key values, not just because others see me as “a creative sort” but because the creative impulse is my birthright, and I don’t consider a life well-lived that doesn’t honor that impulse and explore its potential.
I don’t wait for the day to bring me something new; I take what I have and create something. And being a social creature (more or less), I enjoy creating things I know other people will enjoy.
Creativity code: “I am a creator with a unique genius all my own, which I use every day.”
Community
As a community-minded person, while I’m not responsible for how other people might feel about me or my actions, I choose to consider the impact of my choices on the people around me. I value their safety and well-being and have goodwill toward them.
I know my behavior toward those in my community can affect them in various ways, and I want that effect to be as positive as possible. I can’t control what others think of me, but I can control what I say and what actions I take.
When I give up my seat to someone who looks tired and stressed, I step outside myself to offer comfort or silent empathy to another. When I quietly disregard someone else’s petty criticism, I choose a better way forward for we both. The interactive installation attracts the audience’s active participation.
Community code: “I value all members of my community, whatever their beliefs or backgrounds.”
Compassion
Compassion is what helps me overcome the impulse to judge another harshly or to find fault with them — choosing to see the good, even when it’s hidden.
I put myself in their shoes to see the situation from a different perspective. I’m open to what they have to say and slow to assume they’re in the wrong.
I want to understand them more than I want to be right.
This doesn’t obligate me to expose myself to the negativity and judgment of others. I might temporarily block someone’s access to me to protect my headspace and well-being. But I don’t rule out the possibility of reconciliation and growth.
I want to see others — even those who’ve hurt me — happy and growing. Ultimately, what they think of me doesn’t matter. And it’s not my business.
I let go of the hurt and send them warm, compassionate thoughts. Because I’m aware of my own faults. And I want everyone to get out of this life in better shape.
Compassion Code: “I make compassion the foundation of my behaviour and thought towards others”.
Authenticity
Authenticity is being truthful about who I am . It means speaking my truth, openly and honestly — not hiding for fear of criticism or judgment, which will come anyway.
As an authentic person, I don’t expect or need to be liked by everyone. I accept that some will have a problem with me and find it easy to judge me for what I reveal myself. Some will feel affronted by me “out there-ness.”
That doesn’t stop me from living my life as I choose to, nor does it stop me from sharing some of what I’ve learned from my own mistakes. I put it out there, trusting that at least one reader will feel less alone because of it.
It’s a gamble I’m willing to make. I don’t see the point in pretending to be someone I’me not or hiding who I Am. I know some will see my faults more easily and focus on them, but their opinions aren’t my responsibility — or my business.
And there’s freedom in recognizing that.
Authenticity code: “I live and speak my truth, choosing not to fear criticism or judgment.”
Staying Curious
I value curiosity because progress demands we get past the obvious and open people’s minds to new possibilities. It’s not enough to know about something, it’s important to understand why.
By asking questions I can connect with people and, by listening thoughtfully, I elevate their voices, build empathy, and ensure their dreams are my starting point. The more I can experience what’s going on for them the more I can appreciate their needs and worries.
Asking “what if” and “why not” is to be encouraged, so is celebrating setbacks. Better to try and fail than never try at all. After all, our greatest asset is learning, and with courage, initiative and resourcefulness it’s our experiments that will push the envelope and create new experiences.
Every day brings opportunity to try something new, or do something familiar in a different way. When our curiosity is stirred, we think more deeply, more creatively and more rationally. We can discover how we can improve, what we can create, where we can grow. Small shifts can have a big impact. And we can all make them.
Curiosity code: “It my insatiable drive to learn new things and taking journey into unknown.”
