Happy Thursday! If you're wondering why it's taken me this long to finally put out the post, it's because coming up with interesting and relevant topics is NOT as easy or as fun as you would think it is. It's kind of like trying to write a Facebook status. You want people to like what you have to say, so you have to pick something people will actually read, something you feel is important to your personal life, and consider who will be reading it and how it will affect them. And if you think you don't do this - that you completely exercise your first amendment rights while on the internet - great, but that's not how I operate. I mean, I'm still gonna say what I have to say. There's never any doubt about that!
I promised myself I wouldn't write anything cheesy about the leadership workshop I helped out with yesterday, but admittedly, this post was inspired by that. In the workshop, we asked the kids to think about their morals and how they applied those to leadership. Today I want to share my own version of what I see as my guiding principles - half serious, half Shelbsified.
1. Honesty & integrity. These values are similar, but not the same. Honesty means telling the truth, admitting when you've made a mistake. Integrity means adhering to your values and conducting yourself accordingly.
2. Loyalty. (Why do you think I love dogs so much..?) I have a real problem with people who don't seem to grasp this concept. Simply put, it means staying true to your values, yourself, your family and friends, and especially remembering where you came from (it severely irritates me when students don't say the pledge of allegiance during the announcements at school). This is coming from the girl who doesn't eat Heinz ketchup because of the 2004 presidential election.
3. Responsibility. I am very careful to be held accountable for all my actions, whether they are negative or positive, and I always try to give credit where credit is due. (According to StrengthsFinder2.0, this is my number one strength.)
4. Respect the ice cream. This means no scoop left behind! I hate it when people put the ice cream back in the freezer with maybe two spoonfuls of ice cream left in the carton. Or when you eat straight out of the carton. Get. A. Cup. Please. In my daily life, I make it a priority to practice proper ice cream etiquette. :)
5. Always wear real pants. Primarily, I mean when I'm not working out or chilling at home. This also includes never wearing sweat pants to school - because, seriously, even if I'm feeling uncharacteristically lazy, I ALWAYS find the energy to put on a pair of jeans. And when I say jeans, I mean the kind without ridiculous rips, holes, and tears. I'm perfectly capable of creating those myself, free of charge. But thanks for offering.
6. Don't mess with the Nelson. You can laugh at my political inconsistencies, but the truth is I absolutely love Willie Nelson. If Willie comes on the radio, you don't simply change the station. This is a rule I learned from my dad. And if it means we listen to "On the Road Again" four times in one car trip, so be it!!
Whether your ethics are strictly business and address serious matters such as my first three, or you prefer to take a little creative license with your moral code, make sure you are uncompromising, yet understanding. Stand up for your beliefs in a way that is dignified instead of sanctimonious. Stick to your guns, but be aware of the lives and feelings of others. I think it's safe to say we'd all expect the same in return.
- Shelbs
No comments:
Post a Comment