Take time to reexamine codes you grew up with

Are you aware of the codes you operate by? Are you conscious of the codes placed in your life by others? Some of these codes are obvious, while others are more subtle.

For example, you may work in an organization that consciously operates by a specific code of ethics. They may be so central to the company that they are written on the walls and discussed often in meetings to drive decisions.

You may also have your own personal brand of ethical codes of conduct. You may have created an authentic code that is unique to how you choose to live. You may also have derived some of your codes from earlier experiences such as your school, sports or scouts, your place of worship, or even your family.

Do you recall someone in your family ever saying, “we don’t do X in this family”? Or perhaps it was more of an unspoken code through modeled behavior. Some people tell us that wearing designer clothes was not allowed in their family of origin, while others experienced the opposite. While that’s a more innocent example, codes we’ve been conditioned by can cause bigger problems. For example, stealing when you can get away with it can become a code in certain groups. Not snitching when a family member has committed a crime is another type of code. You may have experienced this in friendship groups as well. Many friends have a code that they will have each other’s back when necessary. Some clubs have certain codes, like sororities and fraternities. Even hobby groups operate by certain codes in hopes of creating a more cohesive intention.

To operate in a psychologically healthy and emotionally empowered way, it’s helpful to inventory the codes you’re abiding by. Ask yourself if they are serving your greater good or not. As you grow and evolve, you will find that incorporating new codes while releasing old ones will be to your advantage. Joyful Daily is a regular column that offers ideas for improving mindfulness and actively seeking joy every day. The column publishes weekdays online and Mondays through Thursdays and Saturdays in the Living section. Angela Buttimer and Dennis Buttimer are psychology experts and the founders of Atlanta Center for Mindfulness and Well-Being. Learn more about their work at pathtobestself.com. Send questions or comments about Joyful Daily to joyfuldailyajc@gmail.com.