In my life, I have encountered many types of individuals, a variety of cultures, and a challenging array of situations. Each of these has given me a greater insight to what it means to be human. Each of these has helped to shape who I am today and how I approach my relationships with others. How I handle any given situation is a subconscious culmination of my life experience, but there are a few key philosophies that I try to practice on a conscious level.
There have been two great religious influences on my life. First, are my parents. As Catholics, they made sure that I understood the teachings of the church and demonstrated what it means to be a Christian. Second, was my primary school education at Friends Academy. My experiences at Friends Academy reinforced the lessons taught through the bible, while adding to that, the Quaker traditions of community service and moderation.
These influences have led to my core philosophy of compassion. There are many ways to define and demonstrate compassion. For me, compassion is simply the act of sympathizing with others and doing something to improve their quality of life. Whether it means buying flowers for my wife when she's had a rough day, taking a few minutes to hear about a friend's troubles, or stopping to help a stranger change a flat tire, these small acts of compassion make the world a better place and make me a better person.
While not a philosophy, Stephen Covey's book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, really hits home for me. I won't get into the details – most libraries should have a copy – but I do try to follow these habits in my daily life.