Philosophical Foundation Insight into a person's psyche is revealed from an understanding of their core values, which they practice daily, and their guiding principles, which provide strategic direction and purpose to their life.  Spencer C. Young embraces a dozen core values in all that he does each day, and his strategic decision-making (particularly in business) is predicated on ten guiding principles, ultimately leading to what the philosopher Aristotle believed was the meaning and purpose of life (reproduced below).  Mr. Young's core values and guiding principles pervade his thoughts, guide his actions and are continually refined by empiricism, the by-product of a fertile mind.    Spencer C. Young's Core Values (Alphabetically Listed) ⇨  Exhibit a positive ATTITUDE ⇨  Maintain COMMITMENTS ⇨  Deepen FAITH in God ⇨  Express love to FAMILY ⇨  Prudently manage FINANCES ⇨  Engage in GENEROSITY ⇨  Seek GROWTH in learning ⇨  Follow a HEALTHY regimen ⇨  Act with INTEGRITY ⇨  PRIORITIZE what must be done ⇨  Invest in RELATIONSHIPS ⇨  Embrace rational THINKING Spencer C. Young's Guiding Principles (Socratically Listed) Integrity - Honesty is the foundation for everything, because there can be no reality without it Freedom - Creative minds flourish when free from shackles of prevarication Creativity - This is the prerequisite for cultivating meaningful achievement Achievement - Productive achievement is the rewarding affirmation of one's purpose in life Reward - Legitimate meritocracy fosters the pride necessary to perpetuate meaningful achievement Pride - Feeling good about one's accomplishments is one such reward, but should be internalized Altruism - Achievements by those assisted can be more enriching than one’s own, for hope is then magnified Hope - For there to be hope, there must be optimism for the future Optimism - This should be rooted in the belief that things will not only improve, but joyous celebrations await Joy - True living is the pursuit of happiness and in bringing joy to others.

" Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence. ”                                      -- Aristotle

The Optimist's Creed Mr. Young has long been an advocate and practitioner of optimism, for it provides a foundation for joy and happiness, overcomes adversity, and creates infectious enthusiasm and generates boundless energy.  The Optimist's Creed developed by Christian D. Larson captures the essence of optimism through a series of introspective promises, which Mr. Young strives to follow each day: Promise Yourself . . .       To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.       To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.       To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.       To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.       To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.       To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.       To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.       To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet.       To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.       To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.       To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds.       To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

Philosophical Principles of Tae Kwon Do As noted in the Personal section, Mr. Young has studied and and engaged in martial arts since his early days in college, the preponderance of which has been Tae Kwon Do.  This Korean form of martial arts means "the way of the foot and fist", and possesses a deep-rooted philosophy, represented by principles developed by its Founder, General Choi Hong Hi.  Prior to studying Tae Kwon Do, Mr. Young had developed certain character predilections that strongly coincided with Principles 1, 4 and 6: 1. Be willing to go where the going may be tough and do the things that are worth doing even though they are difficult. 2. Be gentle to the weak and tough to the strong. 3. Be content with what you have in money and position but never in skills. 4. Always finish what you begin, be it large or small. 5. Be a willing teacher to anyone regardless of religion, race, or ideology. 6. Never yield to repression or threat in the pursuit of a noble cause. 7. Teach attitude and skill with action rather than words. 8. Always be yourself even though your circumstances may change. 9. Be the eternal teacher who teaches with the body when young, with words when old, and by moral precept even after death.