We all have values that we live our lives by. How do you live those values? What do you to do demonstrate them?
An individual, a company, or a country has values that are important to them. These can may be openly stated, or simply internal. Nonetheless, they exist and are on display.
The first, and most common, value is self-preservation. You want to continue to go on living, preferably improving your lot in life as you go along. In extreme situations, some of us may choose to give up our lives for something we value even more, but that is unusual, to say the least.
Listen to a podcast where Michael and Lee discuss a related question: ‘How do you define success?’ We also discuss a bonus question: ‘Is happiness the most important purpose in life?’
Beyond self-preservation, the values we could possibly have can be many. And the sum total of all possible ones among the population of the earth is truly staggering.
Some may value family and friends, and connections with others. Others, perhaps money and luxury. Perhaps what motivates you is justice, for yourself and others.
Of course, you can have more than one competing for your attention. The reasoning about what to do in any given situation can involve a complicated, complex series of considerations, in order to satisfy your many values as closely as possible.
As an individual, do you know what your values are? What actions or behaviors do you perform on a daily, monthly, or annual basis to live by those values? How do you demonstrate them?
Related questions: What gives a person value? Is value intrinsic or relative? What are your values? How do you set priorities? What is important?
For me, I like to have in-depth conversations — not just idle chit chat. One of my values is honest, real communication, and so I like to foster conversation wherever I can.
I’ve put a lot of thought into my values and how to make them active. Eight values rise to the top, paired in some cases, to make for five personal principles for my life:
First, I am fortunate to have a strong desire to discover and know things (i.e., curiosity). I want to learn as much as possible about my chief interests and roles. That noted, I acknowledge and embrace uncertainty (i.e., doubt). I try never to believe or act as if I know it all.
Second, I strive to see and work toward a better future (i.e., vision). I pair this with a desire to work for that future, which I believe is possible (i.e., hope). I feel hope is an active verb. This pushes me to fight for social and economic justice as well as to combat humanity’s existential threat, climate change.
Third, I work to balance hope for the future with an appreciation for what I have in the here and now (i.e., gratitude). Every day, I write out and reflect on an expression of gratitude. I try to be grateful for the relationships I have as well as for what I’ve got and can do.
Fourth, and combining my hope and gratitude, is holding profound awe expressed toward the earth and its diversity (i.e., reverence). But reverence is a platitude if not backed by action (i.e., stewardship). The primary way I demonstrate reverence and stewardship is in how I act in relation to food. I garden and garden knowledgeably. And as a consumer, I try to reduce waste and eat responsibly.
Finally, I strive to give proper attention to differing needs (i.e., balance). This is important to protect against burnout. I want to exercise my values for as long as I can.