The MOGO Principle is Empowering

Many people believe that exposing oneself to atrocities and horrors in the world will be too burdensome to bear, and that the call to make choices that do the most good and the least harm to oneself, other people, the environment and animals (the MOGO principle) will be overwhelming. My last post may have added to that perception, demanding as it did, such commitment to the art of communication and action.

So in this post, I want to share with you what some have said about embarking upon living according to the MOGO principle. These quotes come from my book, Most Good, Least Harm, and were written by students and participants in the Institute for Humane Education’s MOGO programs.

“Living according to the MOGO principle has made me more aware that every decision we make every day, no matter how seemingly insignificant, adds one more drop to the well of our lives. Every time I make a decision to help rather than hurt, my life is expanded and made more joyful. I have found clarity about what is truly important, and therefore have freed up an enormous amount of time and energy to use to better purposes. I have become aware of how often in the past I did not have the information I needed to consider how others’ lives were affected by my every decision. I am grateful to realize that my desires do not entitle me to add to another’s suffering. As a result, my desires have aligned more closely with my hopes for a better world.”
- Lynne Westmoreland

“It can be easy for someone working for change to vilify other people who contribute to the status quo by way of their choices. It can be even easier to beat oneself up for going back to old habits now and then – perhaps due to lack of a better choice in a given situation, or perhaps just being tired from fighting existing systems constantly. Thus, for an agent of change, the MOGO principle is a welcome break that allows us to be kind and understanding to ourselves and others. In my life, the MOGO principle allows me to be at peace while working to make a positive difference. It provides a framework that allows me not only to self-reflect and set goals, but to connect with others and create change that benefits all.”
- Kumara Siddhartha, M.D.

“Because the MOGO principle asks us to take responsibility while striving for balance, I feel encouraged to do the best I can without castigating myself for minor failures. I try to make the best choices based on what I currently know, and I strive to learn more so that I have more knowledge upon which to act.”
- Amy Morley

“The MOGO principle has helped me define my values and hone in on what types of actions best suit me. I’m better able to express my opinions while being sensitive to the needs of others. I now regularly communicate about challenges that concern me, and I work on legislative issues. I’m much more confident sharing my views and passing on information to colleagues, and have been encouraging my coworkers to take action on the issues that concern them, too. I’ve initiated a couple of environmental actions at my workplace...and am challenging myself to take on more leadership roles. Plus, I’m more self-reflective and have a greater sense of community now.”
- Monica Keady

I hope these quotes inspire you to embrace the MOGO principle despite initial trepidation!

Zoe Weil, President of the Institute for Humane Education
Author of Most Good, Least Harm, Above All, Be Kind and Claude and Medea

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