Personal Philosophies.
I have three mantras I live by:
People Matter Most. Work Is Good For Your Soul. Your Best Days Are Ahead Of You.
These mantras reflect essential parts of who I want to be and how I want to show up in the world.
The first, People Matter Most, is about love and community.
The past few months have been incredibly difficult for me. But, the saving grace of it all was finding out how much I am truly loved. Time after time the people in my life who love me showed up in real and tangible ways. And, I’ve been humbled by their kind words, generosity, and willingness to journey with me.
Those folks in our lives who are truly for us show up not just on the mountaintop celebrating our successes, but they walk in the valleys beside us, too.
My second mantra, Work Is Good For Your Soul, speaks to contribution. Deep deep down, we all long to feel a sense of purpose, to know that our lives have meaning. We all want to give back.
And, I can tell you, work has saved me over and over again. It’s grounded me in the present. And, helped me get my mind off of my problems and focus on how I can love and serve others. Especially, my clients.
You see, it’s in our work, in using our gifts to meet the needs of the world, that we find true fulfillment. It’s in showing up for others that we realize our true potential.
If 2024 has taught me anything about how good work is for my soul, it’s this: it’s better to give than to receive.
My third mantra, Your Best Days Are Ahead Of You, is all about hope. Life is always moving forward, and if we focus too much on the past, we will inevitably get stuck.
Believing in a better future fuels growth.
This mantra reminds me that tomorrow holds potential, new opportunities, and fresh chances to become the person I’m meant to be. Which is why today matters so damn much. What I do or don’t do today will shape my every tomorrow.
It’s a compound interest kind of thing.
Now, while we don’t need to live for tomorrow. We do need to have some idea of where we’re going, who we want to be, and the impact we want to have while we still have breath in our lungs.
And, these three mantras help guide my decisions. They ground me in love, faith, and hope—universal principles that transcend the everyday noise.
When I live by these mantras, things flow more smoothly. My relationships improve, my work feels more meaningful, and I face the future with a bit more optimism.
But, when I stray from them—when I let fear, laziness, or distractions take over—I notice a real difference.
I fall short of what I know I’m capable of in that day.
Maybe you’ve experienced something similar?
Moments when you’re aligned with your core values, life feels more purposeful and in sync. And other times, when you lose sight of those values, things feel off-balance, stressed, and strained.
That’s why having little mantras are so important—they keep us grounded and focused. We can breathe them in, reflect on them, and let them guide us on the daily.
Back to personal philosophy…
The word “philosophy” means “a love of wisdom.”
Living wisely means living intentionally. With purpose. With skill.
So here’s a challenge for you: What’s your personal philosophy? What principles do you live by that keep you on track?
Take some time to reflect on the values that matter most to you. Write them down. Turn them into mantras. And, commit to living by them just for today. Then wake up and do it again tomorrow.
I promise, it’ll change the way you see yourself, and the way you show up in the world.
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Steve Knox | Somewhere on this spinning ball of dirt we call home
\\\ Thanks for reading! For a bit of accountability, shoot me a mantra or two (steve@steveknox.us). I’d love to know what words are shaping your life. Be honest. Be you. And, don’t forget to share this with the others.