Core Beliefs and Moral Code

We need to understand our place and responsibilities within the world. This a lifelong challenge - the challenge of identity. On our journey towards this we will face many difficult decisions, life changing moments, and of course all the living that takes place in between. To navigate this, we need a system to understand what we do, why we do it and why it is important to us. The answers to these questions come from our core beliefs and moral code – the framework we use to make decisions and live our lives.

This is most important in the times where life challenges us. As young people, we’re expected to be able to do a lot. Be a full-time student, engage in co-curricular activities, exercise, play an musical instrument, have lots of hobbies, a healthy social life, and be responsible for the maintenance of our own lives. In moments where we are inundated with the day-to-day and feel like we cannot balance all of our tasks and responsibilities, the easy way out is to compromise on who we are as a person, take shortcuts or make uncharacteristic decisions -- in order to make our lives easier. It is in moments like these that we need to be able to clear our mind and return to our core beliefs and moral code to recenter, refocus and recalibrate ourselves, in order to be the best we can be.

“The most important human endeavour is the striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depend on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to life.”

Albert Einstein

The inspiration for our moral code and core beliefs comes from everything around us. As much as it is important to identify our code and beliefs, we must also nurture them and allow them to grow as we do. Looking to the world around us for opportunities to develop our understanding of our own humanity through others is a fundamental element of being a good person. Reading about, reflecting on and discussing with others our moral code and core beliefs provides us opportunities to understand them better ourselves, and more importantly, to challenge them. This lifelong interrogation of our moral code and core beliefs is essential if we wish to grow as people and can be supported by looking outward as well as inward.

Finally, we need to consider the impact that our core beliefs and moral code will have on other people. Viewing our core beliefs and moral code as frameworks to support us in being better people, or in helping other people is far more important than viewing them as mechanisms to drive material success. While goals and aspirations are incredibly important for our development and progress, our more code and core beliefs are the driving force behind the type of person we are. When all is said and done, will the people around us remember us as a good person? This is one of the most important considerations on The Pathway to Excellence.

We can contemplate our Core Beliefs and Moral Code by considering the following questions:

• Do I have a set of beliefs that serve me well as an anchor for everything I do?
• Even when things get tough, would I unknowingly or willingly violate or compromise my core beliefs?
• Am I always seeking to explore and deepen my core beliefs through reading, reflection and discussion with others?
• Is it important for me to live with purpose and integrity?
• Does acting on my core beliefs or moral code improve the lives of others and is a source of good, not just personal gain?