Like lots of people, I’ve relied mostly on the quotes of others to describe my life philosophy. I decided to frame my life philosophy in terms of my own language. I encourage you do do the same as a spiritual exercise.
Here are some of the things I believe as expressed in ten principles:
- On Love: Live love, not fear. Love is everything. If I fill my cup with Love, there is no room for anything else. Accordingly, all my principles are informed by my belief in Radical Loving Care.
- On Leadership: The most important job of a healthcare leader is to take care of the people who take care of people. This means living by principles not rules. Principles are for people. Rules are for robots.
- On Self-Care: Take care of yourself so you can take care of others…
- On Gratitude & Forgiveness: Gratitude is the mother of joy. Forgiveness is the father of grace.
- On Energy & Joy: Where attention goes, energy flows. Change your attention and you change your life. Joy is what matters, not happiness.
- On Compassion: Compassion is not a finite liquid to be measured out in cubic centimeters. Compassion is the life blood of Love and the deepest expression of our humanity.
- On Humor: Take your work seriously, not yourself. Laughter is essential to joy.
- On Grief: Live grief as an essential season in your life.
- On Surrender: Surrendering to Love is the most difficult human act, and the most important. It is the only way we can express humility. Prayer aligns us with humility and Love.
- On Art & Music: All of great art is an expression of Love. When we engage with art, we have met Love.
Every great caregiver lives my first principle: Love, not fear. If you were to make up three or five or ten principles of your life, how would you describe them? Which one would be the most important?
-Erie Chapman
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