Take the high road. It’s far less crowded.~ Charlie Munger
I’ve got a love-hate relationship with this quote. I love the message, but hate the fact that it’s true. The high road is less crowded, and that doesn’t speak well for the future of our society.
I don’t want to get priggish or preachy about the disheartening dearth of ethics and morals, but when fifty percent of high school students surveyed don’t think cheating is wrong, we’ve got a problem. And ultimately we all suffer the consequences of the entitled, “short-cut” mentality (hello, financial crisis).
But this blog is about love and romance, so why am I discussing Charlie Munger and morality? Probably because I think the best—and most important—place to employ ethics is in one’s personal relationships.
Whether you are beginning a new relationship or invested in a years-old one, sticking to a code of behavior, a vow, or a promise will see you through a lot of bumps. Those things become an anchor that grounds you as well as a compass to guide you safely through difficulties and disappointments. They also help define who you are, which makes you more likely to choose compatible, like-minded friends and lovers.
If I had to describe my personal ethos in two or three words or traits, I’d choose honesty, objectivity, and fairness. While my life’s not perfect, these seem to be working for me so far.
How about you? What’s your ethos?
Xoxo-
Jamie
