This postThis afternoon while manning the box office and concession booth at our matinee of Swallow the Sun, I decided to finally start writing a mission statement for myself. I frequently find myself noting that “I need to do this” or “I need to do that” in order to become a better person, and they’re good things…but then I forget. And since my memory likes to keep unused things out of the way, those good things aren’t thought of again until something else brings them back to the front of my mind.
Thus the mission statement. I see it as another form of personal scripture, except obviously not scripture. :) (Before I get branded as a heretic, let me clarify. The scriptures are general scripture. My patriarchal blessing is personalized scripture. And my mission statement is, in a way, my interpretation of those as applied to me. I don’t mean that it’s actually scripture — it just fits in with the genre…sort of. But enough disclaimers.)
I drafted out a page or so and found that it felt really, really good. It’s therapeutic to dig deep inside your soul and decide which values you really cherish, enough to make them guide your life. And by writing them down in a single document — one I intend to read every morning as a reminder — I’ll keep myself from forgetting those things in the rush and bustle of everyday life. (At least that’s the idea. :))
The document is still very much a work-in-progress, currently in the stage where I throw everything out on the table to make sure I haven’t missed anything. And then, since I do plan to review it every morning, I’ll cut and trim until it’s down to a manageable length. I’m thinking a page will be ideal. And if it’s in iambic pentameter, even better. :P
It’s an intensely personal piece of writing and so I won’t share it on here (though as a blogger I do have to admit I was tempted to! :P), but I’ve found that most of what I’ve written so far falls into three main categories: my relationship with God, my relationship with my fellowmen, and my role as a writer/artist/creative — my life’s work, I think. One bit that I liked and will share here is short but important (for me): “People before projects.” No explanation necessary. :)
Anyway, here’s to idealism! And to standards and principles and all of the things that ennoble and edify humankind. Sure, we can never be 100% perfect in this life, but it feels so good to try.
