Our well-read My Kingston column crossed paths with celeb athletes, photogs, fashion insiders, news anchors, film-makers and a host of accomplished men these past 12 months. We’re recapping our favourite gents’ responses to our question: What is your philosophy?

Benjamin Lee, FUSE electric violinist and music producer

January 22, 2012

“I believe in good karma. What goes around comes around.”

David Manley, senior products manager for Rock Star Games and son of the late Michael Manley January 29, 2012

“The glass is only half-full if you can’t help it. There is no point in looking on things negatively in life.”

Jochen Zeitz, chairman, PUMA

April 8, 2012

“I keep it with Buddha, trying to cherish life every day as there is no ultimate purpose in life. There is just life itself that can be lived. In doing so I am trying to be fair, honest, positive and creative, my four keys to living a more ethical life. They serve as my moral compass.”

Alrick Brown, Sundance Film Festival award-winning writer, producer, and director

May 6, 2012

“My philosophy is to always be humble because we are all replaceable.”

Deiwght St A Peters, founder and CEO of Saint International

May 20, 2012

“Have abiding faith and keep God in everything you do. Out-create the competition and keep them guessing what’s next, and be committed to the vision of success. Be honest and direct with the people you deal with.”

Daniel Sturridge and Micah Richards, English football players with Chelsea Football Club and Manchester City respectively

June 3, 2012

Sturrdige: “Don’t ever give up.”

Richards: “Whatever it is that you’re doing, give it 100 per cent or don’t do it at all.”

Jason D Hill, author and professor of Philosophy at De Paul University in Chicago

June 17, 2012

“The African-American drag queen RuPaul said in a song called Cover Girl, “You better work.” I have always believed that we have this sacred thing given to us called life. It’s ours. And we better work to honour the sacredness of that life. It is not primarily the responsibilty of other people to maintain your life. It’s yours. Whether you have a penny to your name or a million dollars. Your life is your responsibility. I don’t do self-pity and I most certainly do not think the world owes me anything. It does not; except one thing: get out of my way!”

Thomas James, marketing and sales trainer, and chief judge for the Miss Jamaica World Beauty Pageant

July 1, 2012

“Whatever task you undertake, do it to the very best of your ability irrespective of the status of the person whom you are helping or the nature of the project you are working on.”

Stephen Gooden, deputy CEO, NCB Capital Markets

July 15, 2012

“Make a difference and enjoy life, as it is short. This has been reinforced by the deaths of two close cousins over the past three years.”

Lester Holt, principal anchor, Dateline, anchor of NBC Nightly News, Weekend Edition and co-host of TODAY, Weekend Edition

July 29, 2012

“My philosophy is… don’t worry about things that you cannot control.”

David ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye, former undisputed WBA, WBC, WBO and Ring Magazine Cruiserweight Champion of the World

August 12, 2012

“You get out of life exactly what you put in. A lot of people sit back and expect great things to come to them and when that doesn’t happen they blame the world. But if you want anything, you have to sacrifice more than the next man; otherwise he’ll get what you want.”

Basil Barrington Watson, sculptor

August 19, 2012

“There is no greater moral goal than achieving happiness.”

Dexter Pottinger, fashion designer, stylist and video director

August 26, 2012

“Always seize opportunities in front of you and take it to higher heights.”

Nick Saglimbeni, photographer

September 9, 2012

“Enjoy life and take care of others.”

Indashio, fashion designer

September 16, 2012

“My philosophy changes a lot. But the one I am living by now is ‘stop and smell the roses’. That’s the one thing I love about Jamaica. In New York City (where I live) it is always just ‘go, go, go!’, ‘give me my coffee! I want it now!’ or ‘Why am I still waiting?’ But in Jamaica it is a calmer, go-with-the-flow vibe, you can actually stop and smell the roses here. It is so much better when you live your life without rushing.”

Yohan Blake, Olympic gold medallist and second fastest man alive

October 14, 2012

“Boast not of your accomplishments, but boast instead of the word of God.”

Alexxx Antaeus, Managing Director, Isle Chix

October 21, 2012

“Don’t let anything or anyone disturb your inner balance and peace. No circumstance or person should have that kind of control over you.”

Vern Yip, interior designer,

October 28, 2012

“My philosophy on life is ‘never stop learning’. Education was important to my late mother. She said, ‘Always continue your education. They can’t ever take that away from you.'”

Captain Noel A C Lewis,

December 9, 2012

“Put God first and then everything else will fall into place.”

René Carayol, CEO, Inspired Leaders Network

December 16, 2012

“Treat others the way you would want to be treated.”