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My Credo

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My Credo - How I Wish To Live My Life

I first discovered the concept of having a personal credo when I read Robert Fulghum's bestseller entitled All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten. After finishing Fulghum's book, I felt compelled to craft a credo — my statement of who I wish to be and how I aspire to live.

Taking that one step further, I began to incorporate the credo as a culminating project for my university doctoral students. While it isn't an easy assignment, my students have always shared how meaningful it is to reflect so deeply on one's defining essence. The class periods in which credo projects are shared have always been incredibly powerful and emotional experiences. I think it is safe to say we all emerge feeling so much more connected to one another and to our life purpose.

Developing a credo can be very energizing. I consider my credo to be a work-in-progress, as I am always growing and evolving. Perhaps you could also benefit from the process of declaring what drives you. I have provided some examples of credos to help you get started. Let's dive in.

Photo: The author in kindergarten.

All I really need to know about how to live and what to do
and how to be I learned in kindergarten. ~ Robert Fulghum

Things that I have learned.

By Robert Fulghum

Share everything.

Play fair.

Don't hit people.


Put things back where you found them.

Clean up your own mess.

Don't take things that aren't yours.


Say you're sorry when you hurt someone.

Live a balanced life — learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.

Take a nap every afternoon.


When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands
and stick together.

Be aware of wonder.

And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word
you learned — the biggest word of all — LOOK.

What would you add?

Are there any guidelines you would add to Robert Fulghum's list?

  • Graceonline Mar 28, 2012 @ 10:41 am | delete
    Give gratitude when someone or something pleases you. I might have said, "Say thank you," but a learned rote response is not the same. How to put it as simply as he did, though?
  • RenaissanceWoman2010 Apr 5, 2012 @ 1:35 pm | delete
    I really love the way you have expressed it. Your words are the right words because they are yours.
  • wilfredpadilla Feb 3, 2012 @ 1:51 pm | delete
    Be happy! Be thankful!
  • RenaissanceWoman2010 Feb 9, 2012 @ 9:30 am | delete
    Exactly!
  • JaguarJulie Jan 31, 2012 @ 6:31 pm | delete
    Be a kind person. Be the best that you can be. Don't try to be someone else ... as they are taken.
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Source of Robert Fulghum's Credo

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

by: Robert Fulghum

Amazon Price: (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

This is the book that introduced me to credos and started me on my very own quest. It's pretty hard to go wrong in life if you follow the guidelines learned in kindergarten. There is much wisdom to be found in the sand box of life.

Perhaps some of the deepest truths presented in kindergarten go over our heads at the age of five, but it's never too late to reflect back on how those early lessons are still applicable today. I encourage you to check out Robert Fulghum's entire collection of wisdom. And let's not forget to share everything we learn.

More By Robert Fulghum

I love the titles Robert Fulghum creates for his books. They fit right in with the popular trend toward six-word (or less) memoirs. I can already picture a title I might use. It was my Norwegian grandmother's favorite saying — Uff da! — which can loosely translate into any number of expressions: oh my, too bad, oh no, oops! This term can cover the whole gamut from surprise, to astonishment, to relief or dismay. Fulghum isn't Norwegian, but his titles and stories are reminiscent of life's uff da moments.
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From the Latin, Credo translates into I Believe.

A credo is...

My Credo In Short Form

I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift.
~Howard Arnold Walter

I Would Be True

I have a well-worn, crumpled piece of paper I have been carrying around for nearly 30 years. It is a verse written by Howard Arnold Walter. Until I began to write this article about my credo, I really did not know anything about Walter or the origins of his poem entitled I Would Be True.

I have always considered this verse a statement of how I wish to live my life. And so, in that regard, it is a personal credo. I learned just today that this poem was written as a Christmas gift in 1906. Howard Walter, a 23-year-old teacher, composed this for his mother. I also discovered just moments ago that this poem was sung at Princess Diana's funeral. I find as much inspiration in this verse today as when I first read it as a young woman. I still aspire to live according to these principles.

Verse By Howard A. Walter

I would be true, for there are those who trust me.
I would be pure, for there are those who care.
I would be strong,
for there is much to suffer.
I would be brave,
for there is much to dare.

I would be a friend to all —
the foe, the friendless.
I would be giving, and forget the gift.
I would be humble, for I know my weakness.
I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift.


Photo Credit: @Ratko - Licensed For Use

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I would be giving, and forget the gift. ~ Howard A. Walter

Credos Come In Many Forms

As my students ponder how to complete their credo assignment, I encourage them to be true to themselves not only in what their credo will say, but also in how it is to be shared with others.

Just as we all live by different principles, we have many different voices. I always seek to allow great creativity when it comes to the expression of personal meaning. In the past, my students have expressed their credos in the form of songs, quilts, recipes, jingles, poems, collages, photos, essays, slide show presentations, websites, and more. Whatever the shape, composition, or ingredients, each credo is incredibly powerful and beautiful, just like its creator.

No credo is too small to count, just as no action, backed by pure motives, is insignificant. Your life matters. Just imagine how your credo, as it is lived out with great fervor, can and will make a difference in this world.

Your Voice

What form will you use to convey your guidelines for living? Perhaps Squidoo is the perfect platform for many of us to share who we wish to be and how we aspire to fulfill the great promise of our lives.

  • Graceonline Mar 28, 2012 @ 10:50 am | delete
    Writing is, and has always been, my medium, so yes, Squidoo is a perfect platform for conveying what I learn as I go, because I am nothing if not a work in progress.

    I love how the Internet has made it possible for ordinary people all over the world to share their journeys, knowledge and sometimes, their wisdom.

    But also, at times, I sing, not so much to convey my guidelines for living as to be them, and at other times, I sketch, primitively, and with bright colors.
  • RenaissanceWoman2010 Apr 5, 2012 @ 1:40 pm | delete
    I love this: "But also, at times, I sing, not so much to convey my guidelines for living as to be them..." To this I say, sing on! I celebrate your voice.
  • wilfredpadilla Feb 3, 2012 @ 1:52 pm | delete
    I like the lens.
  • josephpowell519 Jan 22, 2012 @ 1:07 pm | delete
    Excellent lens, really worth the read. I've given this page a like.

    I have a few lenses but the poetry one has seemed to be most popular... http://www.squidoo.com/poetry17
  • gypsyman27 Jan 22, 2012 @ 11:24 am | delete
    I sort of spread it all around, we've come a long way and have a long way yet to go. This is a great new page for you dear friend. I hope you have been well and happy this year. See you around the galaxy...
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Inspiration for Living

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You Are A Blessing

I am continually blessed by so many lovely individuals here in the Squidoo community. Your generous acts of kindness do inspire me to look up, and laugh, and love, and pay forward the lift that you have so unselfishly provided to me. I am so appreciative of how my friends here live out their credos by supporting others so beautifully. You inspire me.

Koupie
WildFacesGallery
sockii
Graceonline

How do you hope to live?

Have you previously reflected on what your credo might express? Are you willing to share with us a belief, aspiration, or principle that guides your life? It's always inspiring to learn what shapes the actions of others. Your visit and comments are very much appreciated.

  • Graceonline Mar 28, 2012 @ 10:59 am | delete
    As a young woman I discovered Marge Piercy's poem, "To Be of Use." For years, I kept a broadside of it above my desk, to greet me every morning, remind me of my purpose. I love every word of it, but I'll quote only this, "The pitcher cries for water to carry and a person for work that is real."

    More and more as I age, though, I am learning the value of being still, and that work, however useful, is not enough. Not sure how this will turn out, but increasingly, my driving principle is to Be Peace.
  • gypsyman27 Jan 22, 2012 @ 11:26 am | delete
    Pretty much as I have, by doing no harm, I concentrate on doing good things. When I see a need, I try to fill the need without questioning the origin of a problem. Live well, my dear friend. See you around the galaxy...
  • sockii Jan 17, 2012 @ 6:49 pm | delete
    Nice, very nice and inspirational lens. Although I hadn't necessarily thought of it as a "credo", I realized that one quote has always played a part in my life and how I see it: "Life was easy when it was boring." It might seem a funny thing to choose as a credo, but to me it means being ready for the unexpected - and that a life without challenges and changes may be easy, but it's not going to push me to be a better person and really prove what I can do.
  • RenaissanceWoman2010 Jan 18, 2012 @ 9:17 am | delete
    I can really appreciate your guiding principle. Life was never meant to be boring. Often, it is the unexpected that provides our greatest opportunities, delights, and rewards. Thank you for sharing this meaningful quote.
  • debkrenaissance Jan 17, 2012 @ 5:42 pm | delete
    It is always wonderful to know and feel that sense of global citizenship.... that, though in many different ways, through the expression of all kinds of wonderful credos... we all seem to share a similar aspiration....to be loving, peaceful, good people.
  • RenaissanceWoman2010 Jan 18, 2012 @ 9:00 am | delete
    I love the positivity of what you have shared here. I, too, believe that most people in the world strive to be loving, peaceful, and good. If we all focus on that commonality, perhaps the less important differences will fade into the background.
  • WildFacesGallery Jan 17, 2012 @ 12:33 pm | delete
    Truly many of the greatest lessons are the simplest to comprehend. Lovely lens. Blessed.
  • RenaissanceWoman2010 Jan 17, 2012 @ 1:44 pm | delete
    Indeed. The simple is often overlooked, but it is the great medium for learning life's most important lessons. May we embrace it... simplicity. Your beautiful comment and blessing are deeply appreciated. Thank you!
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RenaissanceWoman2010

There are few things more powerful than knowing your life has purpose and meaning. Taking time to reflect on this is very revitalizing and affirming.

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