“We all want to live in accordance with our values. But have you ever actually articulated yours? Try it.”-Blair Glaser

Imagine that at birth, you were given a mirror into which was poured beliefs, ideas, concepts and world-views; placed there over the years by family, religion, culture, the media, friends, the educational system for the purpose of shaping you as a member of the society in which you live. Each time you look into the mirror, you see what you bring into your life, since every person you encounter is a reflection of those values. Are you comfortable with that idea or does it feel a bit stretch-y for you?

Writer and philosopher Jim Rohn who passed in 2009 was quoted as saying “You are the average of the five people you spend your time with.” When I consider those folks, I find that we are pretty much in alignment in terms of values. Do we agree on everything? Nope, that would be boring. Is there enough in common that I don’t practice cognitive dissonance too much of the time? Yes, or I would choose to move on.

Often I think that if I ran the show (not that I would want that responsibility), the world would be more peaceful, neater, cleaner, abundantly loving, more to share~

The values by which I like to think I live (and they may sound judgmental):

I believe that we are responsible for cleaning up after ourselves so no one need clean up after us~

I believe that there is enough for everyone~

I believe in leaving the campground better than I found it in all relationships~

I believe that love is never wasted~

I believe in the idea that God is too big to put in a box or be contained in any one religion~

I believe in keeping my word and if by chance I am not able, I ask to renegotiate~

I believe that people are not for intentionally hurting physically, emotionally and/or mentally and if by chance, I step on toes, I make amends~

I believe in the ‘right to arm bears’ (says this tree hugging pacifist)~

I believe in the responsibility to live lightly on the planet and be eco-conscious~

I believe that love is love is love and I gladly officiate at the weddings of same sex couples~

I believe that smoking around children and animals and even cuddling them after smoking, constitutes abuse, since they did not (unlike the smoker) choose to breathe in toxic fumes~

I believe in the power of forgiveness and do-overs~

I believe that people do the best they are willing to do~

I believe that destructive patterns and cycles can be broken~

I believe that love trumps fear~

What values do you live by?