How often do you change your principles ?

Next to never… I guess. I can’t think of a single example off of the top of my head. I’m sure it has happened, but it must be relatively rare. I don’t think that it is an issue of stubbornness, or anything of that nature. I think I was just raised to always live in a way that would not harm anyone else, and that sort of stretches to encompass all of my values and opinions on pretty much everything.

I don’t even know if that made sense, I’m a little tired.

I have had 2 instances in my life when my principles changed radically. The first was when I came out of the closet as a gay man. I was married with children at the time, and now we’re all much happier and get along very well. Still, it took my changing and becoming honest with everyone about me.

The second time was when I stopped drinking, got sober, and joined a 12-step program. Working the 12 steps changed everything about my life. I thought I’d gotten honest when I came out, but I learned much more about honesty working the steps.

When what your doing is no longer working, it’s that simple.

Change is growth, you cannot grow without periodically re-evaluating your beliefs and principles. Growth on the deepest levels always involves looking at your programming and asking yourself if what you’re are thinking and doing still fit into your evolutionary process.

I have shifted and evolved and dropped many beliefs, reprogrammed, over the years.

I never change the most important and personal principle, regarding the religious view I hold. Though I can change some less important principle, not too often, but it happened rarely, because I have to compromise anything with people around me.

(Sorry to add this separately from my post above, but it’s too late to edit it.)

The unexamined life is not worth living. ~ Socrates

I don’t know that I ever change my principles, but I do change my beliefs. I think those are two separate, if related, things. My principals are painted with kind of a broad brush, while my beliefs are more focused. So, one main principle in my life is “Try to cause the least amount of harm.” I don’t think that will ever change. But, my beliefs about what things cause harm can change (and have, over the years). My beliefs change as often as necessary, when new information causes me to discard invalid beliefs or form entirely new ones.

@augustlan I agree. I completely agree with @Coloma‘s sentiment about re-evaluating and growth… but I feel like my principles and my beliefs are not necessarily one in the same. I think that my core principles are pretty unwavering. My beliefs change all of the time.

Is it principal or principle? Where is @Jeruba? I am clueless. :\

Ditto @Coloma GA…

I’m not perfect by any means but I am still learning to adapt to a rapidly changing world :-/ I’ve still got a cupboard full of VCR’s for crying out loud….. DVD’s now digital, what next??

A principal is the head of school or large organization. A principle is a truth that one follows or believes in.

@hawaii_jake thanks!

I can’t believe I typed it both ways in my answer. I even know the easy way to remember it! The principal of your school is your pal. Dang it.

@augustlan ohh, now I will remember it, too. I haven’t heard that before, and I never can remember the difference. Yay.

My principles have not changed and I thought that was the definition of principles. If you are prepared to constantly change with changing circumstances you may be successful in life but you don’t have principles. I don’t see how you can place a value on yourself or have integrity without principles.

I fully agree with @Coloma and I’ve had to re-evaluate my thoughts and beliefs as I’ve been faced with different situations.
My core principles have not changed.

I know what is right and what is wrong….and knew this from around the age of eight. ;)

I used to always forgive and forget, but as the years wore on I found I forgive and take notes.

I am unchanging. :D I have a simple set of core principles, and therefore, they don’t need to be changed at all. I will admit that it’s quite disheartening to see how quick and easily other people cave and give in though.

Not very often.
Or wait, yeah, often.

Much too busy for principles. I do now before I am done. I go now before I am gone.

I probably should have said that, yes, ‘core’ principles’ such as honesty and integrity don’t change, if anything they deepen. My mistake..but, hey, this also lends opportunity to use another of my favorite mantras…” Don’t ‘should’ on yourself!” lol

As often as I get drunk :)

I change my principles everytime I learn something else better. The only principle I haven’t change since about 10 years ago is the “Principle Of Not Befriending Anyone Based On Their Religion But On Their Behaviour”

I don’t, really.

Whenever I find something wrong with the the old principles.

My core ones ..not so much. But smaller principles, yes.

If you change your principles like you change your socks you are really f—ed up! lol

While there is a place for situational ethics, it’s a narrow ledge between discernment and disorder. ;-)

@Coloma I agree ..my mom changes her principles often and it’s hard on the rest of us. Sometimes, she comes off as a bit loopy to others.

@PluckyDog

Sounds manipulative, keeps everyone off balance. Bummer!

@Coloma Actually, it’s not so much about manipulation but who she is with. Whenever she has had a new man in her life ..her principles will often change to suit him. She’s extremely dependant on her mate. I’ve been telling her, for years, that she needs to live single for awhile – to find herself. I truly believe she’d be much happier and healthier if she’d figure herself out.

@PluckyDog

I agree. But..that’s a whole new topic. lol ;-)

@Coloma…Lol yes it is :)

I’m not entirely sure I even have real principles. I think I’m too primitive minded for that, as the only truths I pursue are those that directly affect me, and anything beyond that, I respond to with what my emotions make me feel. I mean for example, hearing about a kid being sexually abused makes me sad, so in my head it’s wrong. I guess in less extreme cases that makes me pretty judgmental, but I’m pretty relaxed with what people do, don’t do, or wtv, as long as people aren’t being hurt when people do the things they do. Just keep me out of your bullshit and I’ll keep you out of mine. Is that a principle? The more I type here, the more I realize I don’t know what the hell one is.
There’s lots of stuff though, that I don’t believe can ever change, or that it’s part of human nature, so I can’t really be bothered with some popular principles.

Based on what do you change your life beliefs ? Based on a LOT of research. And it has to be compelling research. The kind that has me reading over days, weeks and months. I finally get to a point where I realize that my position needs to change.

Why do you need to change your principles ? My principles are engraved on my soul. They don’t change.

For me belief and principle are two similar but ultimately different things.

Do you change them just to suit you in given circumstances ? My beliefs change based on a preponderance of relevant information. My principles are implacable.

Thanks for replies.