A few months ago I read somewhere that it’s important to have a personal manifesto, so that you never forget who you are. Personally, I think it’d be quite hard to forget who I am, but the idea was fun so I did it anyway. This is what I came up with.
“The complexity of things — the things within things — just seems to be endless. I mean nothing is easy, nothing is simple.” (Alice Munro)
I will not think my journey has ended.
I will strive to understand.
I will acknowledge reality is complex.
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated failures. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” (Calvin Coolidge)
I will not let failure put me down.
I will learn from my mistakes.
I will seek experience, not glory.
“Armageddon is not around the corner. This is only what the people of violence want us to believe. The complexity and diversity of the world is the hope for the future.” (Michael Palin)
I will defend my ideas.
I will be the master and the learner.
I will not be afraid of diversity.
“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.” (Woodrow Wilson)
I will not create what is not needed.
I will improve what already exists.
I will use my talents to better the world.
“Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.” (John Lennon)
I will not do something I dislike.
I will not take anything too seriously.
I will not misspend my time.