Favorite Inspiring Quotes
Ideals
Commentary by Peter Shepherd

“Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands, but like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them, you reach your destiny.” ~ Carl Schurz
Although there’s more to it, as Herbert Read said, “A man of personality can formulate ideas, but only a man of character can achieve them.”
“For Aristotle, friendship in its highest form has a political or civic dimension. We love our friends not just because we like each other or are useful to each other, but because we share the same values and ideals for our society, and come together to advance those ideals.” ~ Jules Evans
Moral judgement, ethical debate and free choice are essentials in society. Beware of those who reckon they know better than we do how to live our lives, because this is at the cost of practical reasoning, personal freedom and choice.
“When enough of us focus our intentions on a better world, a world of cooperation rather than competition, of compassion and forgiveness, rather than hate and avarice, it tips the scales toward a collective renaissance of the best of human nature.” ~ Steven Farmer
It’s when we maintain and nurture these ideals within ourselves along with others that we can be better human beings and co-create a kinder, more loving world. Doing so individually and collectively will counterbalance and ultimately surpass the darkness that exists in the world.

“Most rules are made by people with no authority who want to control and limit you from reaching your true potential. Ignore them, break their rules, and wave at them as you soar past them to greatness.” ~ Dan Pearce
Never mind the doubters and the blind, as Rumi said, “You were born with potential. You were born with goodness and trust. You were born with ideals and dreams. You were born with greatness. You were born with wings. You are not meant for crawling, so don’t. You have wings. Learn to use them and fly.”
“Integrity is the integration of ideals, convictions, standards, beliefs—and behavior. When our behavior is congruent with our professed values, when ideals and practice match up, we have integrity.” ~ Nathaniel Branden
Only you know whether you are living a life that is true to your values. Less is hypocrisy and self-deceit. But if you are, you will naturally be confident and fearless.

Here’s some further reading on this theme...
Happiness At Your Job Through A Higher Purpose ~ by Julian Kalmar
Purpose is something you choose to apply to the tasks you do. You can be hero, a person of nobility, or a savior, even in tasks that others consider humble. The true value of each task gives us purpose, a reason for caring about the quality of the outcome. Continues...
The Secret to Happiness and Maslow's Hierarchy ~ by Bill Boyd
Maslow was an eminent psychologist who developed a theory on the psychological needs of humans; it is often demonstrated in the form of a pyramid, and referred to in relation to education, motivation and sales training. A summary of his theory would be that we humans have 'needs' that must be satisfied in an order of priority... before higher ideals can be achieved the lower ideals must be met. Continues...
PODCAST by Peter Shepherd ~ Karma and Ideals
In this podcast I discuss Karma, an Indian word but actually a universal principle that most religions and philosophies address. It is simply living with the consequences of our actions, and hopefully learning and moving forward as a consequence. And in the context of our Karma, as we live our life, each of us develop ideals: what we stand for. So let's look further at these two concepts: Karma and Ideals.