Building a framework

What kind of person do I want to be? It's a question I can finally start to answer with clarity now that my brain has largely emerged from its fog. I haven't lacked for framework on the subject: the last eight years of my formal education included two distinct sets of attributes that a graduate escaping each institute's orbit would possess. The ideals inscribed on the base of Tommy Trojan, for instance, are Faithful, Scholarly, Skillful, Courageous, and Ambitious. Meanwhile, my high school's "profile of a graduate," as they called it, included Open to Growth, Intellectually Competent (which I always thought was kind of a low bar), Loving, Religious, and Committed to Doing Justice.

I've wondered often, were I to define my own mission statement, which ideals I would choose to strive towards. One would think I'd have a better grasp of what means the most to me. Now, I've decided, is as good a time as any to figure this out. Better late than never, I suppose.

While this list is still a work in progress, these are some of the traits I'd like to embody.

* Open to Growth (O): I've rolled scholarly, courageous, and ambitious into this one, as being open to new experiences involves all of these characteristics. I want to challenge myself physically, intellectually and emotionally, whether by learning new things or working to improve my abilities in things I have already begun to learn.

* Committed to Doing Justice (J): I want to live my life in a way that's consistent with my ideals. I don't want to patronize businesses that screw over their customers and treat their workers poorly. And aside from the tenet of "do no harm," I want to actively do good.

* Conscientious (C): I want to know that I've put my best effort into every task I complete, regardless of the end result. I don't want any "what ifs."

* Appreciative (A): I could have gone with the two-syllable "grateful," but I think this is more comprehensive. I want not just to be grateful for the good in my life, but cognizant of the complexity that life has to offer and aware of the role everything plays in the universe. I want to appreciate everything there is, even when things don't go my way.

* Earnest (E): I want to parlay sincerity and enthusiasm into everything I do. It's so easy, and so tempting, to be detached and ironic, and much more risky to embrace things fully - not enough time to let go if it all comes crashing down to earth.

My continuing resolution is to do at least one thing every day that helps me live up to each of these qualities. Here's what I did today:

* I mailed off my application for credit union membership. If all goes well, by this time next month I will have bid Chase adieu. I want to support small local business, and a credit union seems like a much more organic way to do that. Plus, I want to stick it to the Man. (J)

* Instead of just taking off for the day leaving some things unfinished, I went to my boss' office to follow up. I ended up being one of the last people at work, but I'm glad there's that much less to do tomorrow. (C)

* I sent my grandmother the book I told her about when I called her last week. I think she'll like The Happiness Project, or at least find it interesting. I wrote her a note on a Thanksgiving card, too. I think she'll enjoy both things. (A,E)

* I started NaNoWriMo and got about 900 words out - the biggest chunk of writing I've done in a while - and also re-started this blog. Definitely risky ventures, as far as the possibility of failure goes, but if one hasn't failed, one hasn't tried. Points for effort! (O)