have the courage of my convictions

http://www.cdnn.info/news/article/a071104.html

while adding a goal I realized something while reading someone else’s entry. His entry opened my eyes to a system that is not inclusive. I am glad I was able to identify this conviction and then act on it.

THANKS! (want to see more go here)

I believe I would be able to forgive and I strongly believe I would try to forgive and I would expect that I would forgive. I found a story about someone who did:

http://wjz.com/local/forgiveness.tragedy.jessica.2.863608.html

I wonder if anyone else has the conviction to forgive?

what are my fixed or strong beliefs?

How can I figure those out and then live them? I know I live many of them every day but there are others that I don’t live….. I have to explore what they are….??

I just wish I was able to live by them!

Maybe this goal will help me to achieve them more often….

...to have the confidence to do or say what you think is right even when other people disagree.”

My beliefs and principles on some subjects differ quite a lot from those of the people around me. I’ve never been a conformist, and I have always questioned tradition for traditions’ sake. I don’t believe in limits, and I do believe that a lot of the things that people follow blindly need to be questioned.

I have found myself on many occasions backing down so as not to rock the boat, and compromising my principles out of fear or insecurity… and I always feel so, so disappointed in myself afterwards.

my relationship was in meltdown. I felt I needed to leave and did indeed do that for a while, but we got back together. Now, a few months later, I am thinking more about what needs are met by this situation and whether it needs to change. However, I want to operate from a position of strength, not reactive hysteria, so need to think carefully and speak to someone outside the whole thing to get another perspective. Just to make sure what I’m feeling and what is happening aren’t completely different to each other.

This means expressing my opinions and not giving a damn about what the come-back response is. I kind of do this already, but also have an equal urge not to cause upset to the other person. It’s a strange contradiction, but then I guess that most people probably feel the same way except the sociopaths who don’t care, and Management School Robots who’ve been trained out of it.

One of my problems, and I am aware of it, is that sometimes my personal views and philosophies do contradict each other. Maybe I’m expecting too much. Afterall sometimes it takes a lifetime to figure out what you stand for and why. And it changes along the way. A little contradiction is alright, life would be boring otherwise, but surely when it comes down to it it is up to individuals to be consistant in order to make a difference to the world.

Contradiction is fine, hypocrasy isn’t and I know that I fall into that trap a little too often.

I know that I should use local shops to support the local economy. I know I should not buy cod or non-organic cotton or fruit and veg shipped in from abroad. I do know all this in principal and that there are very good reasons for making certain consumer choices but a combination of expense and, let’s be honest, laziness does mean I don’t always make the right choice.

Which is why I’m stuck between wanting to go to Florida this summer and knowing that I should choose to forgo the long haul flight as my part towards reducing carbon emmisions. It’s not exactly Sophie’s Choice is it and the answer should be automatic. But I really want to go. (Incidentally, a little leadership on this issue from Mr Blair wouldn’t go amiss. It’s not even as though the end isn’t in sight.)

I guess I could always wait for global warming to turn Britain into a flooded, baking riviera and sunbathe in my back garden.