#Core Values

Welcoming Change While Standing Firm on Values

Finally, put principle into practice with simple habits. First, craft a one-page values charter—three to five nonnegotiables with brief definitions. Next, apply an integrity test to choices: Does this advance my values, violate them, or merely preserve comfort? Set red lines (actions you will not take) and green lines (experiments you will try for 30–90 days). Seek a diverse “truth council” that can challenge blind spots, and run small pilots before scaling. In this way, you welcome change as a tutor, while your values remain the teacher. [...]

Self-Discovery Through the Lens of Our Affections

Connecting these insights to contemporary life, psychologists suggest that our passions—whether for art, family, cause, or community—align closely with our sense of self. For example, social scientist Brené Brown has observed that wholehearted individuals structure their lives around values they actively cherish, which in turn shapes how they see themselves and interact with the world. [...]

Risk as a Mirror of Our Deepest Values

Jeanette Winterson’s observation invites us to consider risk not merely as an external threat, but as a reflection of what matters most to us. The act of risking—whether our resources, comfort, or security—inevitably shines a light on our internal priorities. Just as a gambler places high stakes only on outcomes they care deeply about, so in life we tend to risk for the people, principles, or pursuits we truly cherish. [...]

The Strength of a Tree Lies in Its Roots; So Too Our Courage in Our Values — Chinua Achebe

The tale of Sundiata Keita, the legendary founder of the Mali Empire (as recounted in the *Epic of Sundiata*, 13th century), echoes Achebe's message. Sundiata’s enduring strength derived from the wisdom and values instilled by his mother, allowing him to reclaim his kingdom. [...]

The Strength of a Tree Lies in Its Roots; So Too Our Courage in Our Values — Chinua Achebe

Achebe often explored the resilience found in cultural roots. In *No Longer at Ease* (1960), characters struggle without the firm grounding of their ancestral values, illustrating how cultural disconnection leads to vulnerability, just as a tree with shallow roots is easily toppled. [...]

Finding Passion: A Blend of Love and Purpose - Emma Watson

Emma Watson's words encourage self-reflection. By understanding both what you love and what you believe in, you can find a passion that aligns with your authentic self. [...]

What We Suffer Reveals What We Care About - Theodore Roethke

It reflects that suffering is often a sign of emotional investment. The more pain we experience in relation to a particular person or pursuit, the more it signals that those are integral to our identity or happiness. [...]