Being spiritual, my values have always been important to me, so I thought I’d note down the values that help me bring and maintain peace in my life:

  • Whenever you help someone, do it with good grace;
  • When you apologise to someone, mean it;
  • Being aware of our lessons;
  • Not dwelling, but learning from failure;
  • Never belittle another person’s thoughts or beliefs;
  • When talking to someone, always make sure you listen;
  • Be attentive and show you care through compassion;
  • Get to know someone first before you pass judgment. Better still, don’t pass judgment;
  • If someone isn’t willing to meet you half way, their friendship isn’t for keeps;
  • Always be yourself;
  • It is important to think about yourself from time to time;
  • It is important to think about those who need emotional support and be willing to offer it if you can;
  • Be a shoulder to cry on, you never know when you might need one back;
  • Don’t judge others by your own standards. It is important for others to have a fair trial;
  • Don’t pull other people into your misery, or pull them down because you’re feeling bad;
  • Work on seeing only the positive, and if the positive turns out to be less than positive, always look for the silver lining;
  • Speak your own truth;
  • Don’t compromise on your own values or morals just to please others;
  • Never leave something said in anger. Going back to make amends is always the best policy.
Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges. In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines. Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.

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6 comments on “My rules of the road”

  1. I like these rules to live by. A type of list as a guide down the trail on our life's journey. Very cool indeed, don't ever get tired of it either. Thank you for sharing this.

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