As I began journaling, I noticed a recurring theme: I wanted to live a more intentional life. To understand what this meant for me, I used a technique called automatic writing. Through this process, I realized that an intentional life is one where I'm in control, not just reacting to whatever comes my way. I also discovered that to live this way, I need to:
Define my values and purpose.
Align my actions with my values.
Cultivate self-awareness and mindfulness.
Unsure how to start defining my values, I turned to a resource that wasn't around when Rainer wrote her book: artificial intelligence. I prompted an AI to act as a life coach and ask me a series of questions to help identify my core values. After an hour of answering questions, the AI analyzed my responses and outlined my core values, which it then summarized into a personal statement.
My Core Values
The AI's analysis revealed my core values are personal growth, resilience, connection, and compassion.
Growth: I believe in constant self-improvement through daily rituals like journaling, gratitude, and mindfulness. These practices help me recenter and connect with myself.
Resilience: My journey to becoming a published author taught me that my voice is valid and that I can overcome adversity to achieve my dreams.
Connection and Community: Although I value my alone time, I feel most alive when sharing experiences with others. I believe we are all interconnected, and true happiness comes from these shared moments.
Compassion: This value is at the heart of my belief that all life is sacred. It drives my desire to make a positive impact on the world, whether through small acts of kindness or larger efforts like creating jobs or providing healthcare.
The analysis also highlighted a personal challenge: while I value connection, past experiences have made it difficult for me to fully trust others. Acknowledging this barrier is part of my journey toward living my values.
A Guiding Principle: Compassionate Contribution
Using my core values, I gave the AI one final prompt: "Analyze my core values and reduce them down to one single guiding principle for my life."
The AI's answer was compassionate contribution. This phrase combines my core values into a single, actionable principle. It's a proactive, outward-looking concept that suggests my personal growth and resilience are not ends in themselves, but tools to help others. Compassionate contribution means moving beyond just feeling empathy to actively using my resources, skills, and talents to make a positive difference in the world.
Looking back, I realized I’ve been practicing this principle my whole life. Friends and family have often described me as "free-hearted," and I have always been driven to help others in both small and significant ways—from offering a listening ear to mentoring and volunteering. My core values are a compass, and compassionate contribution is my true north, guiding me to use my unique skills to bring harmony and care to those who need it most.
This journey has been a powerful reminder that our values are more than just words; they are the foundation for a meaningful life. While the path to living with intention is ongoing, having a clear guiding principle like "compassionate contribution" provides a strong sense of purpose and direction. By continually reflecting on these principles, we can ensure our actions are aligned with our deepest beliefs, leading to a life filled with purpose and positive impact.
Carolina Dean
Compassionate Contributor
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