Principles I Live By

Over the last few years, I’ve reflected a lot on what my values are. I’ve arrived at several after a lot of reflection based on my life, what my parents taught me and the books I’ve read. These are six that I believe are specific to me.

  1. Personal Relationships are important for a happy life.

  2. Almost everything is a skill - if I put in the time and effort, I can learn it

  3. I am here to serve my fellow humans.

  4. I must be true to myself. Life is too short for pretenses, fake friendships and living someone else’s versions of success.

  5. Almost nothing is worth sacrificing my health

  6. When choosing friends, pick the ones with a good heart above all else.


Almost everything is a skill - if you put in the time and effort, you can learn it.

Music, sports, coding.. yes. But also:

  1. Sleeping better - there are things you can do to become a better sleeper. 

  2. Stress less - meditation can literally rewire your brain to make you someone who responds calmly to stressful situations. 

  3. Becoming socially courageous - if you’re someone who’s shy, someone for whom even the thought of going up to a stranger and asking for their number or even saying hi gives you the jitters, you can change that - like everything, this too is a skill and by repeated practice through progressive challenges, you can get over your fear and be the person who can go talk to anyone and everyone.


I am here to serve my fellow humans.

I am on this planet to serve my fellow human beings - to enhance their well being. This could mean by being a good friend, son, brother or by creating a product which positively impacts people's lives, or by spreading messages which serve others.. or anything which serves others. My fundamental duty lies in the service of my fellow humans. Seva, as they call it in Sikhi. 

Emerson summed it up well: “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others***; to leave the world a little better; whether be a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.*** This is the meaning of success.