Jane Eyre's lesson on measuring up to your values and principles when the tough gets-going

One of my favorite all-time novels is Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. Not only is it a novel that is beautifully written, has an exciting plot and intricate twists, but it also always gives you the opportunity to self-reflect on a variety of different life circumstances that are still pretty relevant today as they were in the 1800's.

One of those life circumstances I was intrigued about when I first read the book was the idea of measuring up to your values and principles whenever the tough gets-going.

Because, let's face it, how many times in life are we tempted to not be the very-best-version-of-ourselves? Especially when we are tired, scared, or depressed?

For example, it is easy to feel grateful each morning when you are able to wake-up healthy, with food on your plate, and living under a confortable and warm roof (although some people might not realize this!).

On the other hand, it is a lot harder to wake-up grateful when you are unable to get out of bed without assistance, or you don't have enough sustenance to get you through the day or you live in a dangerous place that you hate.

In those less-than-ideal circumstances, we might be tempted to make victims of ourselves and fall into anger, delinquency, or even become mean-spirited against the world.

However, tapping into those dark thoughts and turning into someone you've never wanted to be will not make you happy - because it is not right, it is not good.

The moment you turn away from what you know is right, from your values and principles (in this case, finding something to be grateful about each morning and making the best from what you have), you stop caring and you stop taking responsibility for your actions.

And when you stop taking responsibility, you become a victim of your circumstances.

So don't stop caring.

Instead, let circumstances shape you into becoming the very-best-version-of-yourself by measuring up to your values and principles.

In Jane Eyre's words,

"Who will be injured by what you do? .....I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself. I will keep the Law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will keep the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad - as I am now. Laws and principles are not for times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigor; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have worth - so I have always believed; and if I cannot believe it now, it is because I am insane - quite insane, with my veins running fire, and my heart beating faster then I can count its throbs. Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations are all I have at this hour to stand by;

there I plant my foot."

How do you "plant your foot" and stand-up to what is right even when you are tired, scared, or depressed? How do you take responsibility for your actions?

Trust the process. Live the commitment