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Everyone Needs To Have A Personal Code Of Ethics, Here's Mine

These are the laws of my heart...

Laura Zaks

Apr 02, 2019

Pennsylvania State University

220

Everyone Needs To Have A Personal Code Of Ethics, Here's Mine

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A personal code of ethics isn't something that teachers require of you, or your parents, or family and friends... but it's something you should require of you.

It's a way to live your life— promises and codes of law to rule for your own soul and way of life, so you live your truths the way you want them to be lived.

Making my code of ethics has never been so difficult and simple, all at the same time, and here's what I realized:

1. I need to respect my mind, body, and heart.

I used to take my body for granted. I used to abuse it, and in turn, that made me abuse the self-esteem, integrity, respect, and love that I was supposed to have for myself. I put myself down and was my own worst enemy. But I never want to be that way again. I have put myself through the worst, but I can be my own best friend now. I want to love myself and respect every facet of myself. I want to open up my heart to everything and never resent my sensitivity or openness. I want to speak my mind and never be afraid of the way my thoughts can express themselves—whether it be through conversation, on paper, or art! I want to take care of myself. There's only one of me, and I have to respect my mind, body, and heart.

2. It's important to laugh at yourself.

There is so much wrong with the world, and such terrible things happen. If I can't find happiness as much as I can, negativity might just get the best of me. And that's not something I can allow. You're human! So laugh at yourself!!

3. You can't be ashamed to ask for help.

I am not the smartest person out there, and I have learned the hard way that I cannot handle everything on my own. Never again will I make myself put up with life all on my own when I have a family who loves me, friends who support me, and people who care about me. I also have too many questions that will remain unanswered if I do not reach out to others! I never want to be ashamed in asking for help or wanting a shoulder to lean on. Sometimes, there is so much strength that comes with asking someone to be there for you. I think it's a humbling experience when we lean on other people for support—and it is this humility that garners the aforementioned strength. It's okay to ask for someone else to carry you when your own two feet aren't up for the job!

4. Never let the inner child in you grow up.

I don't care how old I am, I never want to lose touch with the curiosity, newness, excitement, and imagination that all children have the privilege of having. I never want to lose base with that enthusiasm that comes with learning new things and experiencing new things…. I don't ever think we stop being kids. I think we just mature and sober up to reality and the harshness of the world as we grow older. But I also think that we should never forget what it's like looking up to someone, what it's like wanting to slide down a slide, or go on the swings and sing as loudly as our throats can allow. I don't want to lose this joy for life or the vulnerability that comes with not knowing what the future holds. I want to live freely and imaginatively…no matter how wise I become!

5. Being well-read is essential.

There is no better way to blossom a soul of empathy than by picking up a story…and diving right into its richness. The characters' tales of woe or their tales of happiness all provide lessons and foundations for values and morality in the readers' lives, and in this way, books enhance reality. I've learned so much by reading—all through elementary school I carried at four books in my book-bag. This is a value I have cultivated until it flourished into a garden of knowledge and intrigue in my brain, and I refuse to ever stop it. So much growth is yet to be done.

6. Try to bring light to everyone.

There's so much I can do, there's so much I can say, that can make a day brighter for someone. It's the little things that matter because they have a BIG impact!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Everyone Needs To Have A Personal Code Of Ethics, Here's Mine

These are the laws of my heart...

1. I need to respect my mind, body, and heart.

2. It's important to laugh at yourself.

3. You can't be ashamed to ask for help.

4. Never let the inner child in you grow up.

5. Being well-read is essential.

6. Try to bring light to everyone.

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10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

Money

Socks

Blankets

Gift Cards

Hoodies and Sweatpants

Pajamas

Candles

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