No matter what's going on around you, I believe it's best to live a value-driven life. It's good to know what your values are and to revisit those values now and then as you learn more to revise and refine your values.
With a mystery or two in my midst (see the last post), I'm moved to focus on my values right now as mysteries in your midst can upset your values if you don't keep a good focus.
What are my values at this juncture?
Respect for the myriad of positive lifestyles and choices that exist
In my world, I know people living all kinds of good lives. In many ways, my life differs from the lives of friends and family members, but that doesn't mean one life is better or more important than another. Instead, this difference simply illustrates that there are many ways to live a good life. Sadly, our current majority leadership in the United States holds a very narrow view of what constitutes a good life. Further, their narrow view, in many ways, lies in direct contrast to my values since they appear to lack empathy, honesty, and humanity in their viewpoints about what matters and what defines a good life. For me, however, I value all lives with the exception of those who purposely aim to hurt and harm others--that I do not value.
Honesty
While I don't believe that people have to share all their truths about life, I do value honesty and I don't value intentional lying and manipulative/hurtful dishonesty. In general, the truth rises in almost all situations, so to a large degree, I believe dishonesty is a harmful waste of time. That said, it can be a burden to others if you share all your truths so you have to be mindful about what you share and when you share. It's good to live the kind of life that you can be honest about, and when honesty is uncomfortable, you have to make the time to figure out why that's true and reach a place where honesty becomes comfortable.
Positivity
I value positivity. I believe that life holds unlimited potential for good, and with a positive mindset and actions you reach closer to life's good potential.
Love
A loving world and a loving life is a good world and a good life. Love is a powerful action, and it is never wrong to be loving. To focus on what it means to be loving and to grow that energy and action in your life is to have a good life for yourself and for others.
Generosity
To squirrel away valuables is mostly a waste of good potential. It's best to be as generous as possible in order to help others as well as yourself live a good life. There are countless ways to be generous, and for each individual, that generosity will likely look different, but it's good to take account of your resources of time, energy, money, and goods now and then, and figure out ways to increase your generosity in ways that help people to live good lives.
Helpfulness
When you can help another, that's always positive.
Creativity
It's good to use our talents, energy, resources, and time in the act of creating positivity, warmth, and good living in ways that we can.
Patience
It often takes time to understand situations as well as to create greater positivity and promise. The patience to observe, listen, understand, and help in positive ways is always a good trait to aim for.
Hard work
Pushing yourself to do the good work possible makes you stronger and better for yourself and for others.
Self respect
It's important to take good care of yourself and not put yourself in positions where you are demeaned, harmed, or hurt by others.
Good health
To take care of your health and the health of those in your charge is always a good value.
Forgiveness
People err in life, and with this in mind it's always good to be forgiving with regard to your own missteps and the missteps of others.
Courage
In times of trouble, you have to have the courage to speak up, tell the truth, and do what is necessary for the betterment of humanity and good living for all.
In times good and not-so-good, we can retain our values--our values is what bring life strength and sturdiness. Onward.
