I write these essays primarily to assist me in organizing my own thoughts, but I pray it can inspire others to revisit or reinforce their own guiding principles. I also pray that they be at least compatible, if not identical, to my own. If we can all agree on guiding principles, then we can disagree on how they should be exemplified. Together we can solve any problem, remove any obstacle and defend any ideal as long as we are willing to listen, really listen, to each other. For when man speaks but will not listen, and takes but will not give, he sacrifices not only his civility but his humanity.