Values

What’s most Important to you?

(Values) a person’s principles or standards of behavior; one’s judgment of what is important in life.

The real value of anything depends on viewpoint. Your viewpoint is based in your perspective, which is magnification of perception. We receive what we focus on.

In the final analysis, most of what I value is based on time or the information I possess. Both are a culmination of experience. They are the fulfilling of meaning.

What do I want? What do I want to be? What do I want to see? What do I want to have? What do I have to do? These are important questions to answer if I desire to place value on something or circumstances I would like to experience in the world.

Time and information are two assets we all possess. But, the ultimate is what will I choose given the meaning attached?

Self understanding and self confidence are the basic foundation into making sense or creating a reality.

Value then is the level of importance I place on my time, my circumstances, or relationships in my life. It’s also valuable to understand what concepts or ideas am I placing in my evaluation.

Since there is only a finite set of time in our lives, it is necessary to evaluate what I am placing value on.

The “don’ts” and “musts” of civilization which surround us from birth are not intended to restrict life, but to enlarge it. Life is to be lived widely and deeply as possible!

The greater values must always be put before the less important values, keeping proper proportion in life.

A good reputation; a clear conscience; appreciation of nature; a peaceful heart; the knowledge of having given happiness to others; a trained and well-filled mind; satisfaction from duty well done; faith in the outcome of right; contentment; well-adjusted social relationships—these qualities make for true happiness.

How much time do I really have left? Nobody can truly answer that question, although the ego mind believes that time is a constraint and measured by the level of importance in carrying out a task.

It is interesting to me that when I wake up in the morning, I assume that I have a whole day in front of me. This assumption is based on previous experience and belief that I will be here tomorrow. In truth, all of us only have the moment.

This can be grim reality to some, however, if your viewpoint is to value and appreciate the moment, you will have lived a lifetime.

The value we place on time and the information we have collected for the most part is useless. How certain we believe that our truths are really valid to others?

Everyone has collected impressions of experience and interpreted them by sound reason or by group think.

I often consider the stream of thoughts that flow in my mind and observe the bodily reactions they impose. Interestingly, when I allow the feelings to just be and not resist them, they effortlessly vanish.

Like the promontory against which the waves continually break, my silent witness stands firm and tames the fury of the rushing waters of emotion around it.

If I value my serenity or peace of mind, I must stand guard of the temple of my mind. Opening and closing the gates of negativity and allow them to vacuum out of existence.

This I have learned is the art of contemplation. It is a revelation of thought which precedes transformation and allows one to enter into the condition of enlightenment.

Enlightenment is a field that is not so high, or so far in the distance at a future time.

It is a field of energy in which we must become. Once we become, we are living a life of prayer.

Enlightenment is present in the now and is everywhere at every point. In the grocery store, in the car, at the Thanksgiving table; everywhere. It is beyond a state of mind, it is a way viewing the reality of people, animals, and things as a happening.

When you decide to accept yourself fully and not depend on the acceptance of others for your happiness and well being, a shift has occurred that is life changing and moves you into a standard of living that is established with the true nature of your being or essence.

Seek for the real and lasting pleasures of life.

Sometimes we think happiness can be found in the pursuit of thrills, but only the things that are eternally and fundamentally right create and prolong the thrills.

References from “Something To Live By” collected by Dorothea S. Kopplin