Consequences of ones philosophy for life.

Philosophy,  is among other things, a system of principles for guidance in practical affairs, according to one dictionary definition.  

We all have a philosophy that we live by, one that guides us through life. The question is are we being piloted in a manner that will see us reach places that satisfy or are we simply existing from one  experience to another, living out repeat performances of badly thought out decisions we have made and actions we have followed through on?  Philosophies are created by experience, life experience to be exact.  We go through our daily lives making decisions and each decision reaps us a consequence.  I can safely say that most times I hear the word consequence a negative connotation comes to mind but the truth is that consequence is neither good or bad, it is relative.  

The consequences I will experience in my life will be directly relative to the philosophy that I live by.  My own personal philosophy has changed many times over the years because I witnessed first hand that there is truth in the saying, 'The definition of insanity is to do something over and over again expecting different results.' 

At one time I felt it was necessary to  do onto others before they could do unto you because it is always best to get in the first punch!  It was a knee jerk reaction to a young life filled with pain, some of it self imposed and some not, but it was a way of living that never reaped good consequences.  The truth is there would be years of bad consequences realized before I understood just how insane my thinking was.  If you do not want to be known as a liar, then you have to stop lying.  If you want to be thought of as a decent and trustworthy human being, then you need to act the part.  Hate filled people are usually hated, loving people are usually loved.  It is not rocket science, yet when we live our lives and make decisions out of a philosophy that we need to look out for number one, our existence becomes tremendously lonely.  We may or may not admit it to ourselves but the principle of reaping what one sows is tried and true; I eventually had to ask myself if I was done with being the judge and jury to the world around me and would I let someone in far enough to see that  life did not have to be a defensive mission day in and day out.  

Changing your philosophy has consequences similar to cleaning out an infectious wound.  It can be emotionally painful when cutting  away thinking and behaviors that are second nature but bad for us then replacing them with ones that gain freedom from a self imposed prison.  But if you look at it as pruning a plant you realize that  the pain is short lived as good fruit starts to show up in your life.  Good fruit=good consequence.  Sick of sour grapes?   Check where  your philosophical fruit is coming from.