When compiling a list of my personal values, I primarily consider how I prefer to treat people and the ways in which I prefer to approach conflict. First, I value peace; not hippie-flowers-and-world-peace kind of peace (although that's good too), but instead a sense of internal calmness. I believe it is important to have a sense of calmness when faced with people or situations over which we have no control. To have this kind of peace is to have a strong sense of optimism that painful situations are temporary and that life will go on, even if not in the immediate future.
I rarely expect life to go on without difficulty, which is why I also value strength. It's true that the only thing in life we can control is ourself. I value strength because I believe it is important for people to be able to stand on their own two feet in order to persevere in face of the things they can't control. I believe that the way out of painful situations is always through them, which undoubtedly requires hard work. I further believe that we find strength in doing what we believe is right despite the risk of difficult consequences. I value strength as a means of trusting myself to determine my own way of going through life, despite negative influences.
I also value empathy as a means of acceptance and forgiveness. I find that the ability to imagine yourself in someone else's shoes is extremely important because I firmly believe the world would be a better place if everyone sought simply to be more understanding. With empathy, we can learn to accept the things about one another that makes things difficult. I value the ability to accept differences without trying to change them. I also value empathy in relationships because it allows people to share one another's pains and joys. Empathy is the reason people care for one another.
Furthermore, I value learning because it is crucial to growth. I learn something from each difficult person I meet or each difficult situation I face. I learn something about the way I prefer to approach people and I am reminded about what's important. I believe in constantly trying to make myself better. The only way to make myself better is to learn HOW to make myself better. I find it to be true that experience is the best teacher. With each difficult person I encounter, I learn more about the person I want to be.
While I do seek to grow, I also seek to stay young which is why I value youthfulness. With youthfulness comes humor and fun: two things I find essential to happiness no matter how peaceful or strong a person may be. I believe finding a reason to laugh is a skill that's highly underrated because it keeps us young. Life is hard enough on its own without us taking it more seriously that we should. I value youthfulness because I think it's important to be excited about every stage of life.
Finally, I value thankfulness. I believe that there is always something to be thankful for or happy about. I believe those who are fortunate should appreciate and be grateful for everything they have and I believe that finding something to be grateful for can ease pain during difficult situations. I appreciate everything I've been given and when life is painful, I remember to be grateful that I have my health, my family and my future. I value thankfulness because experience has taught me that it can drastically improve one's state of mind and give way to a sense of simplicity and peace.
"Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement."
"Inspire others to be their best by being your best."
"Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement."
"Inspire others to be their best by being your best."
