Principles and Philosophies

Why this story is important

Your principles and philosophies form your personal “north star.” They reflect how you approach truth, justice, love, work, and integrity — the invisible code that governs your daily actions. By writing them down, you make that code visible, intentional, and enduring. You can’t pass on what you haven’t first articulated.

Many people live by philosophies they’ve never paused to name. Writing about them helps you examine the why behind your thoughts and choices — what experiences, mentors, or books shaped your worldview. This reflection often reveals patterns of growth, wisdom, and clarity that only hindsight can bring. When you put your philosophy into words, you understand your life’s logic. Your principles and philosophies are part of your moral legacy. By putting them in writing, you offer guidance to children, mentees, and loved ones — wisdom they can draw on when facing life’s choices. They’ll understand not just what you believed, but how you thought about the world. It’s like leaving behind a compass, not just a map.

Preparation checklist

Gather your thoughts and materials. Review your journals and notes that might help you remember details.
Browse your photo albums to stimulate memories and choose the photos you might want to use in the story.
Decide who you’ll share the finished story with. Just yourself? Family? Friends? Public post? Thinking about your audience in advance will help guide what memories and details to include and which ones to leave out.

How to use the Times of My Life App to capture your story:

A) Virtual Biographer Interview

Open the app > search Principles and Philosophies.
Tap “Virtual biographer” to start guided questions.*
Speak or type answers; the app drafts your story.
Review, edit, or tap rewrite to craft a different version.

Start in the App

B) Write It Yourself (in the App)

Open the app > search Principles and Philosophies.
Tap “Write myself”. Paste in notes; upload docs or PDFs.
Polish the draft. Ask the VB to edit it or rewrite it in a different style.
Write in the first person or third person. Narrate the story in your voice.

Use the Web App

*The Virtual Biographer has instant access to similar stories written and shared by millions of other people. It knows what questions to ask and in what order. It can help you relive events, thoughts and feelings. It can help illuminate the essence of your experience and then craft a story that is uniquely yours. If a question doesn’t seem relevant to your experience, just skip it. Answer at least five questions. Tap “Next” and tap “Additional Details” to speak or type from memory.

Add media, save and publish as a printed piece, audiocast, and/or video

Insert photos and video clips wherever you want them to appear in the story narrative. Add voice narration and background music if you want to create an audiocast or video, in addition to a printed piece.

Share and revise as desired

After the story is written by you or your virtual biographer, you can “share” it through he app with friends and loved ones. Their feedback can provide valuable perspective and help you improve your story. After you get their feedback you can go back and edit the story as desired — or ask the Virtual Biographer to rewrite it with the feedback!

Write the Story Yourself: Suggested Outline

💭 1. Introduction — Words to Live By

How would you describe your overall outlook on life?
What words or ideas capture your life philosophy (e.g., “Do no harm,” “Keep learning,” “Treat others as you wish to be treated”)?
Have your principles been more influenced by logic, faith, experience, or emotion?

Example: “I’ve always believed that life is less about what happens to you and more about how you respond to it.”

🌱 2. The Roots of My Principles

Where did your principles come from — family, mentors, faith, culture, or lived experience?
Were there specific moments or teachings that shaped your core philosophy?
Have books, teachers, or historical figures influenced how you think or live?

Tip: Reflect on early lessons that still echo in your decisions today.

⚖️ 3. How I Put My Principles into Practice

What guiding principles do you try to live by each day?
How do they influence your decisions, relationships, or leadership style?
Have your actions ever tested your principles — or proved their strength?
What happens when you fall short of your ideals?

Example: “Patience was never my strong suit, but life taught me that rushing rarely leads to wisdom.”

🔥 4. Challenges, Contradictions, and Growth

Have your beliefs ever been challenged — by hardship, injustice, or change?
Did any experiences cause you to question or evolve your worldview?
How do you handle moral or philosophical conflicts in your life?

Reflection: Growth often comes not from certainty, but from questioning.

🌍 5. How My Philosophy Has Evolved

Do you see the world differently now than you did when you were younger?
What ideas or principles have remained constant — and which have changed?
What major experiences (parenthood, loss, success, spirituality) shaped your thinking most deeply?

Tip: This section shows wisdom earned through reflection, not just age.

💬 6. Passing It On — My Guiding Wisdom for Others

What philosophies or lessons do you hope to pass on to others?
How would you want future generations to remember your way of thinking or living?
What advice would you give someone who’s still forming their own principles?

Closing Thought: “I’ve learned that it’s better to live by values that endure than to chase success that fades.”

📜 Optional Additions

Include favorite quotes, proverbs, or short maxims that sum up your worldview.
Add a “Life Manifesto” — a short paragraph or list of personal rules to live by.
Record an audio or video message expressing your beliefs in your own voice.

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Best Principles and Philosophies Quote

“”In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.”
— Horace Mann