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. ----- 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 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism