Biography

Ideas, Principles, and Values That I Live By

• Live with compassion. Simple but necessary for society and for the self. I think about the fundamental attribution error described in psychology, which states how it is difficult to justify the actions of others through situational factors but how it is easy to excuse our own actions with flexible explanations. While it is difficult to avoid making this error completely, I believe that it is easier to understand others if compassion and empathy are emphasized as important values. By working together, we build the bridges for success and we stand to gain more than we lose. Likewise, self-compassion is a crucial ingredient for happiness and positive growth. A majority of internal dialogue is negative, but I think that we deserve more credit than we give ourselves, at least, most of the time.
• Happiness is not a destination. In day-to-day conversations, happiness is often referred to as a faraway goal to achieve, almost like an unattainable piece of fruit on a tall tree. Instead of striving to “reach” happiness, I try to find happiness in everyday moments, aided by gratitude and mindfulness, and try to define happiness on my own terms without judgment or comparison with others. “A happy life is just a string of happy moments. But most people don’t allow the happy moment. Because they’re too busy trying to get a happy life.” -Abraham Hicks
• Growth occurs in the stretch zone. Thinking back, a majority of the most illuminating moments in my life occurred when I was doing something outside of my comfort zone, where I had a greater area to explore and understand. Saying yes to something that brings that slightest bit of discomfort is paramount to personal development. This can also be related to accepting criticism as a tool for improvement. While my ego sometimes gets in the way of admitting my faults, in a way, it takes courage and humility to step back and acknowledge criticism as valid and growing from it.
• The power of tiny gains. The author James Clear writes about the power of continuous improvement, where small improvements add up in the long term. By aiming to improve by even just 1% every day, the small changes add up to great growth. After all, the goal is progress, not perfection. “Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.” -Mark Twain
• Knowledge is the key to a fulfilling life. Embarking on a constant journey of growth includes opening the mind to learning new information, which helps us see the world through different lenses and makes us better overall. It is impossible to know everything about our universe, but by recognizing our shortcomings and gaps in knowledge, it becomes easier to make a blueprint to fill in these gaps and more.
• Be present and make room for stillness. Our world today seems to be filled with unmet objectives, a never-ending list of deadlines, and hours upon hours of media that is waiting to be consumed. Sometimes we forget to look up and appreciate the little parts that make up our surroundings. Stillness is staying balanced while the world twists around you, to live at a steady pace, to be able to take a step back and reflect, and to possess tranquility even when your surroundings seem to be filled with chaos. Understanding that it is okay to slow down and take things at your own pace is something that I believe is essential for stillness, which consequently leads to a more fulfilling life. “Don’t reject a difficult or boring moment because it isn’t exactly what you want. Don’t waste a beautiful moment because you are insecure or shy. Make what you can of what you’ve been given. Live what can be lived. That’s what excellence is. That’s what makes presence possible.” -Ryan Holiday

My Five Core Values: Authenticity, Growth, Compassion, Courage, Inner harmony