Values Are Intrinsic To Our Lives But Are We Living It
By
Moin Qazi, New Age Islam
16
September 2023
I swear by my life and my love that I will
never live for the sake of another man nor ask another man to live for mine.
– Ayn Rand
When we
look at the world today, we see a breakdown of society in terms of family life,
religion, ethical principles, the economy, the environment and governance. This
collapse of our world seems to be deeply connected with a loss of human
values—a view that is becoming increasingly prevalent across the globe.
People are
now more willing than ever to explore our shared human values—those qualities
that elevate and unite us and are the source of our inner dignity and that of
all others. Values are now high on the agenda of governments, schools,
hospitals, and businesses. However, while espousing and upholding values is
important, what is essential is to be able to live our lives by them. That is
where the challenge lies.
One of the
cardinal spiritual insights is that our values are our most accurate moral
compass. These values are the principles or standards of behaviour which serve
as templates of our moral identity. They are our most trusted allies in keeping
our heads, heart, and soul clear and straightforward. It is our judgment of
what should be the manifesto of our life. Values are intrinsic to our lives. They add to
the strength of our character and the righteousness of our beliefs. They help
us maintain a clear conscience. They are goalposts for the destination of a
fulfilling life. No matter how fast you travel, you'll never reach your goal if
you're headed in the wrong direction.
Having a
clear set of values can keep you moored to your creed and anchor your life's
journey accordingly. This work takes time, practice, imagination, compassion,
curiosity, and awareness. It's an evolving process and helps your daily conduct
remain in sync with the arc of your whole life. Uncovering your value system is
an ongoing process of developing a clear understanding of what is most
meaningful to you and aligning your actions and behaviours to be consistent
with those qualities.
Our
time-tested values of justice and fair play, humility, modesty, tolerance and
curiosity are as relevant today as they were when civilization was in its
glory. There is nothing more valuable than intellectual integrity, the right to
call our soul our own. It is the only beacon by which you can steer your bark
through life's rough and stormy sea.
Strong
values lead to substantial families, which in turn prove to be an asset to
society. They fortify all morally conscious people as they seek clarity and
coherence in an uncertain world. They provide a moral compass that is good for
the long haul.
Beliefs are
usually learned from others or our own experiences. They are self-fulfilling
prophecies, but we have the power to change them. Values are internal. They are
who we are deep down. Values are intrinsic to our lives. They constitute the
inner sense of right and wrong based not on laws or rules of conduct but on who
one is. They include traits such as integrity, honesty, courage, fairness and
generosity, which arise from the hard life choices we have to make.
To live our
lives with worthwhile values, we need to be able to differentiate between right
and wrong. This is not the kind of understanding that we are inherently born
with. We learn as we go along. Institutions such as one's family, school,
neighbourhood, and community help form and nurture our values. In turn, our
values act as glue for our families and societies. They help a child become a
reasonable adult, become a good spouse and finally, a good parent. A good and
responsible parent would generally be a good citizen. Thus, all people share a
core hunger for creating a rich fibre of values.
There is no
sin worse than sinning against what we may call "inner light" - the
light that springs from our values. Whatever we call it - our light or our
conscience - is the only beacon by which we can steer our life. The voice of
conscience is, in a metaphorical sense, God's speech. But these promptings
occur only to those with a clear heart and a clean soul. If immoralities infect
them, they can hardly discern this purest light. Thus, the age-old wisdom that
our values shape humanity is the only eternal principle of life.
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Moin Qazi is the author of the bestselling book,
Village Diary of a Heretic Banker. He has worked in the development finance
sector for almost four decades.
URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/values-intrinsic-life/d/130690
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