Values

Values are like a compass, they are what points you towards your true north

I want to talk about values – what they are, what they aren’t. Then I want to share some of my core values.

First, you cannot “protect” values. To talk about protecting values is to misunderstand what values are. Values aren’t some precious object you can lock in a safe. They aren’t a living thing you can protect from predators. They can’t be smashed or burned. They can’t be stolen. Nor are they anything that can be easily destroyed from without. You can lock someone in a cell and cut off food and water, torture them and still you won't change their values. You might reveal some hidden values, but you won’t be changing anything. Values can only be changed from within, which is why there is no "protecting" them. Anyone who is talking about "protecting our values" is just using fearmongering to try to divide into "us" and "them" or "theirs" and "ours."

Values are internal to individuals and groups that adopt them. They are what guide our decision-making and shapes our view of the world. They are semi-fixed in that while they not permanent they are not easily changed either. As we grow in age and experience its very common for some of our values to change. Life experiences tend to either intensify current values or shift them as we experience parts of the world that were “not dreamt of in [our] philosophy.”

Values come from many sources. Our religion has a large impact on our values, as does our upbringing. And, of course, experiences shape values. It’s also important to note that stated values are not necessarily true values. Some folks talk one set of values and then act according to another set. Adversity and opportunity will sometimes prompt people to act against their stated values, in essence revealing their actual values. This is often complicated because we humans are complicated so I’ll leave it at that.

So what are my values? Well, noting that no one has a perfect view of themselves, I will say my core values are these:

Integrity First and Always

Recognition for the intrinsic value of every human (Everybody matters or nobody matters)

Respect for Individual Agency and Being

The most fulfilling part of life is Service

Joy should be found and embraced whenever possible

But this, “Save our VALUES.” That isn’t a thing. You can’t save values, yours nor anyone else's. You can only walk the world with them and live by them. I’d like to think I live by mine, even if imperfectly.