What Are Your Values?

Values are strong beliefs of what is right, wrong or inappropriate and these values form the basis of our character. Do you know what your beliefs and principles are?

Most of our values are derived as influence from our family, friends, peers, school and the reading we have done. They are not only influenced by what we have seen but also by what we perceive ourselves to have seen and heard. Our personal behaviors are based on these values and principles and will determine the character we have.

These values and beliefs are based on such things as honesty. The act of being honest can be an active resistance to temptation. But for some, they may feel that it's okay to be lax in certain instances, i.e.: if they see someone drop some money and don't return it to them, their friend takes the blame for something they did, they get someone else to do their homework, they don't tell the truth, or they steal something that doesn't belong to them.

Integrity is another important value. Having integrity is when we're fair and upright and we don't bend the rules to suit ourselves or to get things our own way. It is moral behavior which establishes a moral character; it is knowing what is good and doing the good. Integrity is also having an ethical code of conduct, being trustworthy and scrupulous.

Other values have to do with how loyal we are to those who are close to us, can we be depended upon when we say we will do something, are we responsible for our actions, are we accountable for our behavior, are we ambitious or are we lazy, are we optimists or pessimists, do we have generosity of spirit or are we misers, do we show respect for others, do we think we are the only one who is ever right, do we show consideration for others, are we kind, are we able to feel empathy and compassion towards others, does anger flow from us like water from a sieve or are we generally even tempered with a good disposition?

Studies indicate that over the years people's value systems have changed. People used to be much more honest with even minor things. We considered our neighbors – now few of us even know our neighbors. In schools teachers used to worry about children chewing gum in class and running in the halls; now teachers have to concern themselves with students bringing guns to school and coming to classes drunk.

When we think about the values and beliefs we possess, do they indicate that we are of good character or do our values and principles need a major shake up? Can we say that we are passing on good values to our children? Have you thought about what your values are lately?