Michael Eric Bérubé's Governing Values

I attempt to guide my life by a set of Governing Values voiced in the affirmative for reinforcement.

These Values include:
I am Reverent: As a Panentheist I hold that Deity is immanently in all things. Everything that we can percieve of is made of the stuff of Deity. Being a Panentheist, not only a Pantheist, I also hold that Deity is transcendentally beyond all things, self aware and takes an active role in our lives. I give thanks daily for that which I have. I see Nature and my fellow creatures on the planet are the ultimate embodiment of Deity and I try to treat them accordingly. (As Mahatma Ghandi said; "If you don't find God in the next person you meet, it is a waste of time looking for him further.") In practise, this means that I seek honourable relationship with Deity through my dealings with me fellow beings, my Anscestors and with the Spirit of the Lands on which I walk.

I am a Loving Father: I love my grrrls with all of my being and try my best to always place their needs above my own. I take an active role in their growth and development and try to always be there when they need me.

I am a Loving Husband: I love my wife with all of my being. I try to never act without first considering her feelings. I remember to set time aside to celebrate Us.

I am Thrifty: Money is nothing but a tool which I wield efficiently and effectively. I use it to better my life and the lives of those whom I love and or are in need of my help.

I am Physically Sound: I am active in exercise and eat well and regularly. I strive to practice nothing that would be harmful to my well being if undertaken in moderation.

I am Gainfully Employed: I only work at a profession that I enjoy. My vocation fits my needs spiritually and materially.

I am Predominantly Self Suficient: I strive to produce those things which are essential to my family's survival without undue external assistance. I do my best never to put us in a position of reliance on Corporations, Governments or their various political subdivisions.

I am Mentally Awake: I actively seek knowledge from all experiences and qualified sources. I maintain vigilant awareness of my surroundings and environment, because I realise that these have a direct bearing on input to my senses and therefore affect my attitude.

I am Content with Simplicity: I do not desire to obtain more just for the sake of having more. I strive to keep my possessions to that which I need. I do not let my possesions own me. For the possessions I do have, I prefer quality to quantity and my values are more important to my happiness than my things.

I am Friendly: I offer my respect until given reason not to. I do not initiate violence. I resort to protective force only when physically threatened. I help others whenever I am able so long as the help brings no injury to my family or my self.

I am Cheerful: I am the sole authority of my happiness and as such I choose to be happy. The world prefers dealing with happy self-confident people.

I am Brave: I stand firmly behind my convictions but have the good sense to know when these convictions to not lie in sync with my values and I have the courage to change. I do not let fear paralyse my ability to take actions that are right.

While, like Franklin, I haven't yet fully lived up to all of these Governing Values 100% (and don't expect that I ever likely will), I do believe that I am the better for the daily attempt.