Let's Chat About...Values
Values:
-the regard that something is held high in priority; important, worthy
-a person's principles or standard of behavior; judgement of what is important in life
As children our parents, grandparents and other caregivers instill in us morals and values to live by.
As we grow into our individuality, these values evolve into our own identity.
Usually what was taught to us when we were young, sticks with us throughout our lives, but there are exceptions to every rule...some good and some bad.
Let's take a deep dive into some different life values and search inside of ourselves to see what's really important.
Family
Family is a source of support, love and belonging that can shape a person's values and life choices.
Lessons taught by family include principles such as honesty, respect and responsibility.
Families with shared values tend to have stronger bonds and more successful relationships.
Values gained from family can be passed down through many generations.
Education
School can offer many values in life such as:
Social Benefits (By teaching how to get along with others and develop personal qualities).
Economic Benefits (By teaching responsibility and basic job qualifications).
Civic Benefits (By teaching the rights, responsibilities, and regulations to being a better citizen).
Health Benefits (By exposing children to healthy meals and exercise habits).
Individual Development (By teaching critical thinking skills, creativity and time management).
Employment
Employment has value for many reasons, including:
Income (By providing money to pay bills and other expenses).
Sense of Purpose (By providing a sense of identity, self-confidence and direction).
Social Connection (By interacting with others in a professional manner).
Self-Esteem (By making you feel like you're making a difference).
Economic Impact (By improving the economy through purchases made from paychecks).
Faith
Faith can be a valuable part of life in many ways including:
Providing Meaning and Purpose (By helping to find a direction in life and comfort in difficult times).
Navigate Life's Complexities (By helping to make sense of life's challenges).
Promotes Self Improvement (By encouraging people to reflect and improve themselves).
Reduces Stress (By helping to reduce the burden of worry).
Leads to Virtues (By opening the door to hope, love, joy and peace).
Friendship
Friendship can offer many values including:
Emotional Support (By providing help when you are feeling down, facing challenges or need advice).
Sense of Belonging (By providing a feeling of connection with others).
Mental Health (By improving your overall happiness).
Physical Health (By reducing stress and encouraging healthy behaviors).
Personal Growth (By helping to learn more about yourself, challenge you to be better and encourage you to pursue your dreams).
Technology provides value in many different ways, some good and some bad.
Television was introduced to the world back in the 1920's and this had a huge effect on people's values. Although this was a good thing in terms of getting information and news to a wider audience of people, it also has its drawbacks. Families started spending more time sitting in front of the TV then spending quality time interacting with each other.
The very first general-purpose computer was introduced in 1946, having a huge impact on the technical world. Computers have evolved in many ways such as size, capacity and capabilities; and they have become a part of our everyday life now.
The internet was invented on January 1, 1983. This opened up a whole new door in technology. The "Web" is a great resource in retrieving information and education in general. But this too can consume much of our time and take away from personal interactions.
Social Media platforms became a spin off from computers and the internet, and the very first site was launched in 1997. Now they are a major part of society in one way or another. Although there are benefits to this as well, such as staying connected with friends and family, there are a lot of negative consequences too.
I understand the world is always evolving and change is generally good. But I think we need to take a look in the mirror and find out what is really important to us.
I was inspired to write this blog because of a graph I saw on Facebook (ironically) based on how society has changed their priorities in life.
This was some pretty interesting data and really puts things into perspective! I know that I'm going to be more conscientious about focusing on the morals and values of my life.
If you have any opinions or experiences to share on this topic, please comment below.
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