How Our Values Help

‘Rahul’s devastated bhaiyya,’ said Rinku. ‘He saw his favorite uncle who preaches honesty and integrity paying a bribe.’  ‘I’m totally disillusioned,’ said Rahul. ‘For us it is ‘honesty is the best policy’, ‘love all,’ ‘united we stand’, ‘respect elders’ etc but they don’t seem to apply for those preaching us.’

‘Ah,’ said Rakesh. ‘What should ‘you’ practice is the question. Honesty, kindness, respect, love etc are aspirational values for us to live up to, lofty examples to follow and become better people.’

‘But why follow these values when others aren’t?’ asked Rinku.

‘Our values are our personal choice Rinku, not a rule,’ said Rakesh. ‘Remember, your values are what you value most. Don’t adopt them because someone told you to. Own them because you believe in them.’

‘So I can have my own values?’ asked Rahul. ‘How?’

‘By defining, calibrating and choosing your own value system,’ said Rakesh. ‘The clearer we are about what our values mean to us, the easier it is to practice them. To your uncle, bribing and talking of honesty in the same breath is fine, its his choice. But you can choose to not bribe, whatever the cost. Do what you believe is right.’

‘But bhaiyya, how will these values help us?’ asked Rinku. ‘Are they any use?’

‘Our values guide our behaviours,’ said Rakesh. ‘They help us choose between right and wrong actions. They hold us when the stakes increase, when we require clarity and strength of character. When we have a weak value system, we take the easy way out when the heat increases. The right values strengthen us.’ 

‘But why take the tough route for nothing bhaiyya?’ said Rahul. ‘Why not enjoy the easy route?’

‘Because we must ‘be’ what we wish to see in this world Rahul,’ said Rakesh. ‘If you want an honest, open, transparent world, practice the values you wish to see. Put those behaviors into the pot. Don’t crib about the world if you can’t do your bit. Sure, people and situations will test you – that’s when the strength of your convictions will show up. What we give is what we get.’

‘But bhaiyya, I’ve seen people with no values become rich and successful,’ said Rahul. ‘And people with values suffering. How’s that?’
‘Ah, don’t make the wrong connections,’ smiled Rakesh. ‘There are many ways to get rich and successful. You can choose the right values, be creative, help millions and get rich. Or you can cheat, lie and rob. It’s your choice. Your values are the foundation on which your character gets built, over years.’

‘Thanks bhaiyya,’ said Rahul. ‘I’ll choose my values clearly now.’

Pro Tip: Your values are your personal choices, the foundation to build your character. Choose, define and own your values. They guide your actions and help you to become the person you wish to be.

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