Justin asked Brooke Criswell:

Can you share any precepts/maxims that help you be the person you'd like to be?

Brooke Criswell Precepts and maxims to guide or inspire my identity... wonderful question. I think if I took time to reflect on my life choices and the process I follow when making decisions, as well as ponder aspirations of identity versus reality of day to day life, I would develop a more acutely accurate response. I may begin just such a navel gazing journey.
My initial response, with calm consideration as I listen to the cicadas in the oak tree, look at the glare of sun off the white tipped clouds, and feel the breeze pass me after rustling the leaves of a nearby bush, is one of the moment.
I believe in honesty - and abhor hypocrisy, which I feel are various facets of the same guiding value. I don't have it honed to a maxim, but honesty as a guiding force is surely central to me identity and action.
"Be true to self" - that includes honesty, and expands beyond it somehow.
"Connect with nature" - essential to my well-being, and personal actions. Not only do I connect with nature in trips to natural areas, but in my small daily action - notice the birds and insects, water my houseplants, look at the sky, observe the moon phases... be a part of the wonderous entire.
Which leads to a central tenet of my life: "Think globally, act locally, be personally."
Most of my decisions can be made through this lens - simple (clothes, food) to grand (schooling, jobs).
Thanks for asking!

flag