“For I know the plans I have for you, delcares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

At times people challenge others as to why another would live differently than how they live themselves. The lens in which they judge is based off many factors shaped by personality, faith, upbringing, worldly influences, and others. It is not our place to judge. And if you do, judge wisely as the way you judge others is ultimately and eternally how you too will be judged.

In light of this, people have asked, challenged, and judged me on how I choose to live my life. Simply put, some of us have intentionally chosen to select a different set of principles seemingly forgotten by much of the modern world. One’s priorities change when they allow their lives to be shaped through passion and spirit in contrary to arbitrary expectations of others whom are often swimming hard to keep their heads above water; drowning in a world of regret, material emptiness, and figurative goals set by all the other drowning people.

These simple principles are for those willing to see the light and seek to be set free. They apply regardless of one’s spiritual, religious, cultural, social, or political background. They are a combination of traits set by examples of others whom have broken the mold, some leaving a lasting influence for generations to come.

Having stepped back and examining them in my own life, below are many principles in which I and others similar strive to live by:

1. You have to define your own success. It is not always what others think that matters. And it is different for everyone. Find yours. No matter how big or small.

2. Be driven with purpose. Define your own goals, dreaming from the heart but shaped by the spirit. But be flexible enough to realize that some of the unexpected tangents of life may be the very things that allow you to purposely achieve your goals.

3. Live without regret. In hindsight you will regret more the things you did not do over the things you did do. So don’t be afraid. Go after those dreams, especially if spiritually called to them.

4. Have some show before you talk. One of the big problems in society today is being “all talk and no show.” Break that mold and have something to show for before bragging about an empty or yet to be done thing.

5. Self sacrifice – putting others above oneself. We all have personal ambitions but when relating to other people, one must realize “it is not about me.” And note I say people and others – not jobs, circumstances, or things.

6. Simplify and live minimally. The consumer based world is feeding you a lie – money, possessions, and “making it” to some social-consumer level will not make you happy. Experiences, relationships, and living freely without the “consumerism dream” dragging you down are far more fulfilling.

7. You can’t take it with you. At the end of one’s journey, one cannot take a single possession with them. How you lived, what you believed, what you did, the relationships had, and the example made are what leave a legacy, not stuff. Where do you store your treasures?

8. You only get one chance at it. Make it count. Make it right. There is no reset or pause button. Only game over on this earth with two eternal results – did you die or win?

In life one cannot always write a new beginning to the story but we can shape and write a different ending. I challenge you to think back over your life and evaluate the principles that have shaped your priorities too. It is never to late to change.