@emec that was brief and lovely, it was great reading from you. And @jeaniepearl you are doing a great job, hearing from different steamians on how they made it is a great knowledge.
In my philosophy for life
I believe whatever you need in life, you ought to give it first, if you need love, then give love first, if you need money, then give out money to someone first, they all return in double folds and I believe your level of imagination determines how far you go. As far as your eyes can see is what shall be given to you, until you see, you can't receive.
About culture and religion. My culture is based on where I come from. And I believe in respecting every belief a culture hold. And for religion, it's just religion, what is true religion is the love we show to people around us through impact.
What influence my philosophy is experience, learning, reasoning and understanding