“I can do no other than be reverent before everything that is called life. I can do no other than to have compassion for all that is called life. That is the beginning and the foundation of all ethics.”
-Albert Scweitzer
The life we live is shaped by our interpretation of it and how we react to it. Polymath Albert Scweitzer expresses in today’s quote that all he can do is show respect for everything that life has to offer. He chooses to express empathy for every facet of life: this can include but not limited to people, nature and the day to day happenings that may occur and positively effect others. To him all of this is where ethics begins and what it us built upon.
Ethics are our moral principles that serve as the driver for our behavior and how we conduct our lives each and every day. How often do you sit down and reflect on what your ethics are? Do you even know what they are? Ethics are developed over time through our experiences and there is no set number of what you should have as it is different for everyone. For example, integrity and respecting others are two areas that I pride myself in trying to embody in all that I do. If I am not honest with others and respect them for who they are how can I ever be honest with myself or let it alone respect myself. I believe that despite the fact that I may have differing views from someone else they deserve my undivided attention and recognize what they can offer me based on their abilities, qualities, or achievements. Everyone we interact with helps us continue to refine our moral compass if we allow it.
When we allow ourselves to view the life we live as something that doesn’t just happen to us but that we can make life happen through our ethic and moral principles. There is so much beauty in life if we take the time to recognize it and all of the blessings it has to offer us.
What does this quote mean to you and how can you apply today’s message towards defining/refining your own moral compass?
Becoming The Change 