What
are values?
Values are the keys to
peaceful and smooth life. They are the guiding stones for living life with
respect and dignity……
Values can be defined as
the behavior, which we should aspire to internalize, but they like us often
appears contradictory and inconsistent. Values can be referred to as set of
beliefs which guide us to differentiate between right and wrong.
In brief, they are the
reflections of our sense of right and wrong, our character and more important
our spirituality. Whenever we are in a dilemma, a clear sense of values and
ethical standards hold us in good position.
Principles
and standards:
Values are the codes,
accepted principles or standards which we use to guide in our interaction with
our friends and families and in our professional life also.
However it’s important to
know that values may differ from person to person and Nation to Nation but
principles are universal i.e. they do not change.
Significance
of values:
Values are the foundation
stones or base of a sound moral character. An individual, who leads his life
based on his value system, will never stumble or slip in his life and all his
decisions, even during times of difficulty, would be rational and wise.
They would be his guiding
principles and gives him clarity of thought and vision. The confusion in
dilemma, which one faces during decision making, would be smoothed and made
easy.
The fear of any consequences,
which he may have to face, due to his decision, is also eliminated. Fearlessly,
he would live his life with his head held high and with self-respect, dignity
and pride.
Values
reduce conflicts and make easy to live:
Values make life easy to
measure and reduce conflicts and doubts. Values such as integrity, honesty,
compassion, selflessness, and co-operation increase the personality of an
individual and make him a far better human being.
It is important for each
one of us to know our values and behave in a way i.e. consistent with them.
Albert Einstein had rightly said, “Try not to become a man of success but
rather try to become a man of values”.
When we are confronted or
encountered with the question, how do I solve my problem? We will get the
solution by falling back on our values.
The clouds of conflict
will subside to clarity as we derive strength from within, making the solution
easy. Values are virtues, ideals and qualities on which actions and beliefs are
based, they shape our outlook, attitudes and conduct.
Values
are innate and acquired:
Values can be innate or
acquired. Innate values are inborn while acquired are assimilated from our
surroundings. Divine virtues such as love, peace, happiness, mercy and
compassion as well as positive moral qualities such as respect, humility,
tolerance, responsibility, co-operation, honesty and simplicity are innate.
Acquired values are those
adopted at the place of birth or place of growth and are influenced by
immediate environment. Examples of acquired values are dress, cultural customs,
traditions, habits and tendencies.
Different
kinds of values:
Values may be of various
kinds such as biological values, psychological values, intellectual values,
moral values, cultural values etc. All this kinds of values have different
characteristics but they have intrinsic or extrinsic values over growth and
development of human principles.
Biological values deals with physical,
survival and growth of man such as food, sports, shelter, pleasure, career,
health etc. and Moral values is necessary
for our intellect and will like our choices, actions, decisions &
habits.
Psychological values deals
with the psychological character of human such friendship, community,
companionship, family, love, life, marriage, social interaction etc. On the
other hand intellectual values correspond with mental fulfillment of human like
truth, science, art & religion.
At last the value that
left is cultural one and it has a very significant role over values because
culture and values are somewhat same. Cultural values are those values which
are shared in a community such as ideals, principles, laws, customs, rituals,
beliefs and tradition.
All these values have
their own significance and impact over our beliefs, character, behavior and
spirituality.
Conclusion
and its essence:
God said that the task of
each human being is to create a far better world and man asked “how can I do
it? The world is such an outsized vast place, so complicated now, and that I are
so small and useless, there is nothing, I can do”.
But God in his great
wisdom said “just build a far better you”. A better you can be built only when
you have a strong value system and lead your life in accordance with it.
Thus, never question the
role of values in your life. Life without values would become unbearable and we
would be looking for the dark. Values enrich our experience of life and convey
happiness. So we always strive to enrich ourselves in principles or values.
Written By - Adarsh Rai
Social