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Values-we all have our own set of them, and much like the physical and emotional characteristics that make us each unique individuals, our values can differ from person to person.
To me they are a conglomeration of beliefs that have been formed through upbringing, perhaps religious teachings, and most likely touched by personal experience. The values that form the law of the land, Thou shall not steal or murder, they seem like no brainers-historically, to hurt someone or take from them has never solved anything.It is the other types of values that give me pause, that sit on this fine line of prejudice and push society to take sides, screaming that they are right, you are wrong. Constant fighting and finger pointing, name calling and intolerance. Values that I can’t see are helping the young people of the world. At least not the four I have been raising the last several years.
Bringing up children that treat others as they themselves would like to be treated has been my goal for the last eighteen and a half years. Traits such as homophobia, racial intolerance, cultural indifference and hate have not been tolerated. Love, this is our watchword. Though I use my religion as a guideline, I do not let it totally define my acceptance of others and the kids have seen this. I sit back and watch the friends that my children have chosen to have in their lives and I am satisfied that these lessons have been taken to heart.
These weren’t easy values to instill, considering the constant flow of hate and intolerance seen on the evening news, streaming through the social networking sites and even through legislation passed in different states vowing to keep building walls between people and their civil rights. I sit and wonder why the world continues to keep from bridging the gaps between people and I shake my head and tell the kids that I guess the world just isn’t ready to accept and love one another, unconditionally.Each time one of the good guys wins a small victory in the war on hate we applaud and cheer for the next one, hoping it comes quickly and with less resistance. We remember those close to us that fight the battles daily. We prepare ourselves for those that will press us, discourage us for being what they consider immoral, for not living the way they think we should live.
But we scoff and stand firm. The values in our family direct us to be tolerant and inclusive. They are mine and my children’s and as they grow up and out they will form more values based on their own life experiences. I feel good now, though, knowing that I have helped them to form a strong base and am pretty certain that they will only add to those values ones that will help the greater good.
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