We live in a much more complicated world today compared to just a decade ago. Most of the issues we face globally and in our daily lives are multi-faceted with several layers of nuances, the least of which is the difficulty in finding one-size-fits-all solutions. While some issues are getting a clear direction for the way forward in terms of majority support, there are a lot more which don’t yet have that. And it is highly probable that they may not gain the requisite clarity within our lifetimes.

Given such discordant and uncertain times, I have personally continuously struggled with ensuring that I am doing the right thing and moving in the best direction for the future. This is an exercise to identify the core principles that have helped me so far.

• Strong moral compass. This is the anchor which affects our actions the most. It is important to develop a strong conscience and use it as a litmus test for everything we do.
• An open mind. We are going to get a few (or a lot) things wrong, it is inevitable. In order to battle our preconceived notions and biases we need to be willing to listen to opposing viewpoints and be open to change.
• Empathy. I cannot stress the importance of this trait enough. There is no better equivalent which can bring all of us together. Sitting on a moral high horse will not help us to make this world better, it only makes us more intolerant. The first step to making others understand our ideals is to understand the reasons for theirs.
• Gratitude. Being conscious of our advantages and feeling thankful for them can humble us.
• Hope. The force that makes us believe in and work towards a better tomorrow. Drives us to be better people.