“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”― J.R.R. Tolkien
values
Think About It ~ You’ll Know Which Person You Want as a Friend
You can tell a person’s character by how he/she reacts under pressure, stress, or betrayal. When the odds are stacked against them, do they lie, cheat, or blame others? If they do, it is a sign of their character.
If, under the same pressure, stress, or betrayal, the person stands tall, walks with his/her head held high, and doesn’t change or shift his/her values, you’ve met someone special. They’ll stand by you in good and bad times. Keep them close by. It’s not easy to be such a person, something deep inside tells them they have no other way to act regardless of the cost.
Think About It ~ Listening Holds Great Benefits
It takes time to listen. In today’s fast-paced world we often set aside listening to pursue what has our immediate attention. Yet, when we listen to others, we hear their stories and discover how much their stories are similar to ours. We discover, in spite of differences of thought, we share a common set of values and aspirations. We discover we share common stores of joy, love, laughter, and sorrow. As we share our stories our respect for each other deepens.
Think About It
There are times in life when life asks us to take a stand. The moment doesn’t last long, but it defines us. It marks us as a person of courage who knows his/her values and is willing to stand on the foundation his/her value-driven life built. When one doesn’t have a strong set of values, he/she is not sure of where to stand. It’s as if they want to poll the people around them to test if the stand they take will be popular. Know your values, live them, stand on the foundation they built for you and you’ll live a life of honor and integrity.
Today’s Power Thought ~ Three Questions
Three questions: What do you want? How bad do you want it? If you get it, will it be worth the price? We can make a long list to answer the first question. The second question is a filter. The third question asks us to examine the value of what we want. There are some things that may not be on your list until you suddenly realize you need them, for example, good health, love, and peace. Don’t wait too long to begin paying the price for something that will make a big difference in your life.
What If taking Responsibility Were Commonplace
What if taking responsibility were commonplace? Taking responsibility is easier said than done. It’s easy to point fingers at others and say, “He/she should take responsibility.” Responsibility begins when I own it. When I take responsibility, for better or worse, for my actions or duties in relationship to myself and to others. Responsibility means I recognize what is required of me as a man/woman and act accordingly. When society values responsibility families are stronger, neighborhoods are healthier and safer, and doing what’s right triumphs over self interest.
Today’s Power Thought ~ It All Start with a Solid Foundation
What can’t predict what will happen to us. Lots of things we cherish and believe to be important can be taken from us. What can’t be taken from us are our values, integrity, and character. If they are grounded in right action, they will carry you through the tough times.
Something to Think About
A lot of folks hitch their star to that of someone in a powerful position with the hope that the powerful person will pull them into a successful future. These people no longer have a personal set of values and foundational principles. They sold them for the values and foundational principles of the one they’ve hitched their star to. When asked, who are you, they don’t know. Those who choose to figure it out for themselves discover more deeply who they are and what they value. They may not make it to the red carpet, but they have something much more valuable. They are authentic, real, and chiseled by their own hand.
Today’s Good Word ~ What’s Right?
How often do we ask ourselves ‘what’s right’ in this situation? When we ask ourselves ‘what’s right’ in a situation we ask ourselves to make a judgement based on our value system. If we don’t have a value system, we have no gauge to determine what is right is a situation. We make judgements based on feelings with no substance to support our feelings. Having value-based support for what is right is important in times when our values system does not conform with popular opinion. When we do what is right based on our value system we can live with ourselves. We have integrity. What we decide to do may not be popular but it defines us and our values.
Something to Think About
The less one needs, the freer one is. It takes lots of introspection and reflection to make choices about what one really needs. Once one determines what one really needs, life changes. In contrast, the chase to accumulate wants only leads to more wants in an never ending spiraling circle. Make a list of what you really need. Put it all down. Keep the list in a place where you can review it daily. Over the next two weeks see if you can whittle it down to no more than a half dozen needs. You’ll discover what is important to you.
