Essay number eleven: by The Midnight Writer

Stand on Principles

A person must have a clear set of beliefs and principles to guide them if they wish to be an effective member of society. Confidence comes from having your principles built on a solid foundation. This requires a common sense approach to building your character and establishing your beliefs.

The way we form our principles must be a great deal more complicated than it would appear to be on the surface. You can be in a room with one hundred people and not find two people that agree because of their different thoughts and experiences. I find this fascinating. It is a source of unending delight to exchange ideas and seek opportunities to grow and learn.

Just because no one agrees with me does not mean that I am right and everyone else is wrong. Nor does it mean that they are right and I am wrong. It means that we are all searching for answers. Having the courage to change your principles when presented with a valid argument is not a sign of weakness but a sign that you have the courage to learn and grow.

Stand by your principles and express them when you find someone in disagreement. You may find that you can be a positive influence on each other. One thing is certain, if you don’t express your beliefs you will never be a positive influence on others and no one will ever seek your opinion. That doesn’t sound like much fun.

Never waste your time arguing with those who refuse to consider changing their mind. They are paralyzed by their own fears and lack the confidence needed to properly defend their principles or they are arrogant enough to believe they have the only right answer. You might as well be talking to a brick wall.

If you are shy and afraid to speak in public you should start training yourself to express your opinion. Public speaking is a fear that can be easily overcome with practice. I was thirty five years old the first time I spoke in public and I was terrified. I discovered that when you know what you want to say and find the courage to say it, the experience can be exhilarating. The more you practice the easier it becomes. I can know give public speeches to large crowds with full confidence.

If you have something to say then say it. Once you start do not stop even if you make mistakes. You will be surprised by those who will admire your courage. The more you practice the better you will get at expressing yourself and you may even have people seeking your advice. By standing by your principles you will find the experience changing your outlook as well as those around you.

The overwhelming majority of people have a belief in a Supreme Being at the core of their principles. Whether you call your belief God, the universal consciousness, intelligent design, nature, life, “The Great I Am” or any other variation it still amounts to a belief in a supreme power and a purpose to our existence. I prefer to use the name God but I do not take offense to anyone that disagrees with me.

In the next few essays I will be addressing some of the principles that I adhere to in my life. I do not wish to convert anyone to my way of thinking. I certainly have no desire to start a new religion. We have far too many of them already. I just wish to express opinions that I have arrived at through my own brand of common sense in the hope that it will give you food for thought.

The more ideas we share, collect and incorporate into our beliefs and principles the stronger we become and that, I believe, is a goal worthy of our efforts.