Personal Philosophy Statement

Conscious Living
Howard Morgan Asher
LDSBC

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I have acquired many values throughout my life and strived to live by them. One of
the reasons why I always strive to live by what I know is because of a decision I made early
in life. I made the decision to be conscious in all my thoughts, words and deeds, and that
first decision has made a huge difference in the way I perform my activities and the new
things I learn in life. Therefore I believe that a strong decision to live consciously will
positively influence your clarity for recognizing the best opportunities when making
decisions, and enhance superiority in your endeavors.
A decision to live consciously will bring the best of you since you are fully aware of
your existence and your decision to create a desired environment around you. The word
conscious comes from the Latin word conscius, which means with and to know (Mark
Nichol). There are two main implications to this meaning. What is normally referred as
conscience is a noun meaning sense of the quality of ones character and conduct,
adherence to moral principles (Mark Nichol). What is referred as conscious is an
adjective meaning aware or awake, involving perception or thought (Mark Nichol).
The second is what I desire to explain and what has made a great impact in my life. To
question my decisions and performance and not just go by the motions, to be aware of my
present existence at all times, having my mental faculties active at all times and to be
deliberate and intentional. This cognitive awareness is a daily decision which involves great
mental effort and constant introspection but it renders great positive outcomes.
Many times we are provided with great opportunities that will result in a
determining point in persons life. If a person is conscious of his acts and plans he will
make the most rational decision. Recently I was presented with the choice of a summer
sales job. The summer job requires mental commitment and hard work. It requires for me to

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sacrifice my summer fully and dedicate it to nothing but work, from dawn to dusk I would
be selling. The other option was to stay and study a summer semester while working part
time. I wouldnt make nearly as much money but I could get done with school faster. Both
sound good. At first I decided to stay, my reasoning was I would finish school faster and
my work is not so time consuming therefore I can finish my school assignments easily.
However there were more thoughts in my mind I hadnt faced. As I was deeply pondering
my decision I was reminded of a principle, the comfort zone. I knew right there I was
avoiding this great opportunity because I was comfortable. Immediately all the reasons why
I should go do summer sales came to me like pressing an on button. If I dont have to
work during school I can take more credits and finish at the same time as if I stayed. All I
had to do was question myself and see what my real motives were. I made a conscious
decision because I know exactly why it is the best option.
The process of reflective decision making will prompt self-determination in your
endeavors. My education experience has enhanced my abilities for critical thinking and
analytical reasoning. Many of the assignments in charge of teaching the student how apply
critical thinking require great mental exertion. I had been faced with the recurrent theme of
conformity and false consistency with past assignments that only required submission
instead of applying the intended learning skills. For example, writing shallow papers with
no depth and opinion merely to receive a grade upon completion. As I examined my
intentions I realized that I was far from self-reliance. I remembered a day when I was told
one of the worst sicknesses a man can have is mediocrity. I have always feared mediocrity,
therefore I started practicing deeper engagement in my assignments. Little by little I was
immersing myself in my essays, to the point where I would come up with great opinions

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and ideas that were stated in my assignments. I felt very accomplished as I was now
monitoring my own actions and was becoming more self-directed and goal oriented. I now
execute full mental exertion which brings me great learning and professional skills.
Opportunities to rise up and shine will always come to us, but conformity, false
consistency, mediocrity, comfort, lack of commitment, or even a just not pondering can
lead us to let our opportunities go. If we practice introspection and a relentless focus to
control our minds, we will know with certainty what a good opportunity is and we will
grab it by the neck and not let it escape (William Asher). I believe our lives will be more
meaningful and engaged when we are awake and fully aware of our thoughts, words and
deeds. As we learn to confront the brutal facts of our current reality (Jim Collins) we will
think critically to make the best choices and act with self-determination and self-reliance.
You can let your circumstances change you or you can change yourself and in turn change
your circumstances.

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References
Mark Nichol (2012) Conscience vs. Conscious. Dailywritingtips.com. Retrieved
April 12 from: http://www.dailywritingtips.com/conscience-vs-conscious/
William Asher (1930-2001)
Jim Collins (2007) From Good to Great. Jimcollins.com. Retrieved April 12 from:
http://www.jimcollins.com/lab/