“Values are like fingerprints. Nobody’s are the same, but you leave them all over everything you do.” – Elvis Presley
Values are deep rooted. There is significant influence of culture, religion, upbringing and awareness on values one develops as an individual. Hence they are prone to differ from person to person. But values are contingent. They are subject to change as we get older. Values are the core beliefs we trust in and believe to be ethical. As children we believe the set of values our parents and families practice. But as we grow older with increasing awareness of the world, we tend to modify our beliefs. This is because, the definition of ethical undergoes metamorphosis based on our experiences and understanding of the world.
There are instances where children from the same household or family grow up to have their own set of beliefs. While the roots are the same, their values are molded based on their different life experiences. Values are often misinterpreted and interconnected with opinions. This is a vast area that has been subject to various theories and conclusions. Opinions are the way we look at facts. But values are not based on facts. They are developed and evolve as we grow older. As long as we grow not just with respect to age, but as an individual, changed ethical values are acceptable.
But once we are clear on the set of beliefs we value, there will come a number of occurrences, that will try to make us lose them. Our values are validated. Now this is not a scenario, where we are trying to grow as an individual, but an opportunity to prove how strong we can hold on to our values. Every firm irrespective of the industry it belongs to, swears by it’s core values. There are several examples of failed companies that could not stand up to the values they believe in. The same applies to individuals. Giving preference to personal cravings over values may lead to unfavorable outcomes. No matter if the entity is a group, a firm, a family or an individual, values/ beliefs are always put to test. This is when we need to prove how strong we stand by the values we believe in, irrespective of the circumstances.
Because, “Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on values rather than personal gain.”
Aura with Writing 
Wow….what an amazing, thoughtful, and intelligent post…thank you for contributing to the great in the world….absolutely fantastic post 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
It gives me immense pleasure knowing that you found it worthy enough to be contributing to the great in the world! Thank you so much for your kind words as always. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
love that – values are like fingerprints- so poetic 🙂 good post
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! 🙂
LikeLike
Another considered post my friend and I agree with DaisyWillows the values being like fingerprints is indeed very poetic and extremely individual. I think personal values are nurtured and reflect experiences and often how we are treated in early life and then evolve again as we grow up and encounter other people. From a social perspective you can see the influence of collective values changing personal ones. Gangs or groups of youths causing trouble with no seeming values on a wider base but withing their group another set of values that justify what they do. I’ve seen rehabilitated people from gangs change their values as they are exposed to ones outside of their earlier groups too. The implication being as people we are highly susceptible to others opinions and the values that we arrive at…it’s a very intersting debating topic.
Conversely the opinions of value at my local supermarket are somewhat more irritating in terms of what they feel a product is worth which is often in apposition to my estimates and yet their marketing continues to try to tell me it’s a fine deal and value for money….
Great post again so w, X, y, and z left….this should be interesting 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing outlook! So very true and I cannot agree more! Collective values do have an influence on personal ones. The Gangs example is a perfect one. It is a kind of deep topic and there is a lot of interlinked relation between self or others opinions and values. Many marketing strategies use this rubbing strategy on people and we eventually end up buying the products sans quality.
So far so good and only 3 more to go 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s fascinating looking at posts and thinking about content and then airing views and encouraging debate. I feel how people think is a huge topic and when people forget how to think then that is where marketeers jump in and exploit the vulnerability. Default mind zombie mode. Personally I see it as a complex set of influences impacting a complex organ. The permutations of neurons firing at any one point in time is astronomical…each one carrying a different nuance into the conscious….crumbs that’s a bit deep….need coffee now 🤕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, permutations of neurons firing! I loved that line! 😁 and as always you made valid points 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have these moments now and then when something almost profound escapes…. I do love starting something though and just seeing where the words want to go 😇
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely post, I especially liked the quote at the end. In addition to contributing to the greater good another reason for honoring our values is this little thing called karma.
A-Z Let Us Talk Of Many Things ( interviews with some very interesting fictional characters!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
So rightly said! I like the way you linked it to Karma. Thank you so much for your valuable thoughts! 😊
LikeLike
Dear,
This is Subbarao. Ur dad’s old friend. Interesting blog. Values are not contingent. They are fundamental to our identity or what we call in India “Asthitwa”. Life springs from values. As life cruises through, values taker deeper roots to tap life sources. Look at Masters of ages, Buddha,Jesus,Martin Luther, Mahatmas, they unswervingly struck to d core values of our existance: Truth,Non violence ,compassion. And they are Masters. Enron,Volslkswagon, Arthur Anderson tried to subvert values. But we’re buried deep under debris of history. Values are fulcrum of civilization.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello uncle! I hope you’re doing well! Very nice to see you here!! 🙂 How wonderfully described and quoted!! I cannot agree more with you. Values are fulcrum of civilization- very well said! Thank you very much for stopping by my blog with such insightful and thought- provoking notions. Means a lot to me! 🙂 🙂
LikeLike