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Now that we have covered all of the laws of the universe. We ended with the law of success which talked about using our faculties and practice using the laws as well as anything else we need for our goals. On our way through these laws, we pick up other characteristics like principles to help guide us. Webster’s dictionary has a couple of definitions that talk about principles. The definition that seems to be at the root of principles is the underlying ability/capability to act or do.

you is the response or the result of what happens based on your thoughts and actions. The law of obedience doesn’t tell you how to be obedient, it tells or shows you the results when you are not following it. The law of giving and receiving doesn’t tell you how to give or that you need to give in order to receive, but based on how you give is how you receive. A popular term used is karma. The same thing goes for attraction. It doesn’t tell you how to attract, but based on your thoughts and actions you attract exactly that. So saying you want money or love but always thinking about debt or being alone is going to keep you in debt or alone no matter what you say.

This is where the principle part of your life comes in. Determining for yourself what your principles will be. How you will live your life, how you will interact with others and what you will practice on to become successful in who you are as well as whatever goals you have.

We acquire principles through different ways, religion, family habits, our community as well as through learned lessons from life experiences.  Sometimes we see the benefit of this lifestyle, while other times we do not. An example of a principle would be charity. In religion, it is asked for you to give especially to the less fortunate. Your parents and siblings give their love, time and money to each other. In your community you help babysit, build a neighbors fence or mowed their lawn, tutored someone in class that is having difficulty, helping the old person carry their groceries etc. or maybe you helped a stranger and experienced a good feeling afterwards that makes you want to do it again.

A principle internally motivates you to do the things that seem good and right. What’s the difference between a rule and a principle? A rule is made by others and applied to you typically through force to keep you following the rules. This force could be a reprimand, fine, exclusion from a group, confinement, or maybe something else. A principle is being charitable. There isn’t a rule that says you have to give. If there was, then it would no longer be giving, it would be a payment/debt/taxes.

I started to do a search online to see what people thought their principles should be, but in the middle of it, it made me realize how open people really are in their lives. As we speak and interact with each other we show what our principles are as well as what we value the most. So here are some principles to think about incorporating just to get the ball rolling for you:

• Being grateful (showing appreciation) there is no one and nothing around that doesn’t appreciate being appreciated. It makes you put forth more effort.
• Surrounding yourself with the right kind of people that help you grow (there is a saying that birds of a feather flock together or crabs in a barrel hold each other down) Understanding who you are around has a big influence on your habits as well as the way you think.
• Staying focused on your goals this is really important in motivating you when the road get a little bumpy or distraction come your way
• Avoiding negativity (check out the negativity is a disease episode 5 of season 1) it is crippling to inspiration, passion as well as health
• Give more than you take (The law of giving and receiving episode is the best description for this). The more you give and not think about giving, the more you receive without asking.
• Practicing patience as you practice this you open up the door of opportunity that you would not have expected or realized that you needed or wanted.
• Letting go of emotions and things that do not help you to become better. (The law of forgiveness episode) This rids your mind of unnecessary clutter or stress and makes room for positive and wonderful emotions, people and things that will help you along your journey. The weight that once was there just melts away, but this takes practice and focus!
• Honesty, not lying to yourself or others. What I realized was as I stopped lying to myself, I automatically stopped doing it to others and if I did slip and do it, it weighed on my heart. It also leaves little room for guilt or trying to remember unnecessary things.
• Taking care of yourself (mentally, physically and spiritually) you are your most valuable asset. As you invest in yourself in these areas, You will begin to experience life in a different way. Because your body, mind and spirit will begin reflecting this value. The more you value yourself in all three areas. People will see and have no doubt about how you will treat and value them.

Of course, principles are not written in stone, you can add and remove until you are happy with the list that you want to live by. The more you practice these principles, the quicker they become habits.

Enjoy your journey!

Merriam (2017) Definition of Principles from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/principle

Lewis, D. (2012) Living by Principles Instead of Rules from http://sandradodd.com/rules