Philosophy Journal 1.

What's difficult about deciding what exactly is important in life or to oneself as a person is that one becomes restricted by the mere definition of 'important'. It's hard to find clarity when deciding on an answer because not only is there a definition  for important, but also connotations and assumptions that typically go along with it.

When I was little, I thought that making sure I did things the way people wanted me to, that I liked the same things as others, and that I matched up to what people wanted and expected of me was important. I looked up to adults both literally and figuratively and I would have done anything to be just like them. Throughout growing up, as I learned more about what was important to other people I slowly started realizing when I agreed with them and when I did not. Therefore, by realizing I didn't believe what they did I started to develop my own belief system and way of viewing the world and myself.

What's most important to me now is honesty/clarity, purpose, compassion, communication, empathy, and simply the act of trying no matter what circumstance or condition one is found it. I strive to see things as they are and appreciate them as they are whether they be good, bad, ugly, complicated, simple, or whatever. I think everyone should strive to find some purpose, I have a hard time explaining what that means to me or how I understand that in my mind, but it's just something I feel aware and conscious of in myself as important or vital. I think compassion toward yourself and to others is important always. If more people could understand compassion and the personal sacrifice that comes with it I think we would be less concerned with menial societal stigmas. Through compassion, I try to understand the feelings, thoughts, and lives of others through empathy as much as possible. I think it brings humility to us as people.

Why are these things important? How do I know? I really don't know. The only thing I can be sure of is my existence. Therefore everything I experience and encounter, I relate to myself. Through my experiences I have come to these conclusions and they 'feel' right to me and make sense and have allowed me to make sense of myself and my surroundings, so I am grateful for them. So, yes, they are important because I think so. No one can bring the verdict of if they really are, though, because no one is truly objective. Which, I feel is sadly why so many look to religions and other people or deities to give them some form of verification of their actions and beliefs instead of trusting in themselves, rather than everyone else's.