Taking a Good Look at Our Values

"A highly-developed values system is like a compass. It serves as a guide to point you in the right direction when you are lost."

~Idowu Koyenikan

If we wish to make a positive change in the world, it is vital that we first take a good look at our values. These are the things that we hold dear and spend our time and money on. Our values let us know what is important to us. However, what we like on a personal level might not be best for the whole. If we take an honest look at the state of the world, we are not doing very well. People are struggling to satisfy their basic needs, such as putting food on the table or having a place to live. The world is plagued by endless wars and environmental destruction. We don’t know how to honor, respect, and love one another. We are giving our energy and time to the very things that are disconnecting us. They are robbing us from living our lives to the fullest potential.

In our society, we worship celebrities. They are the Greek gods of our time; we can’t get enough of them. We wear t-shirts, wave flags, and pin up posters to show our dedication and allegiance to them. We are obsessed with them. Rock, pop, and movie stars are paid millions to entertain us. Professional athletes are paid handsomely to amuse us with their skills. Why do we dote excessively on the people that entertain us? Why not value those that are giving us the biggest gifts, such as individuals that educate, inspire, and empower us, bringing more beauty, love, and light into the world? We need to appreciate the people that help us heal and grow. Let’s invest in those that are working hard to create a better world for us all.

Those with huge sums of money are another group that we worship and put on a pedestal. Many will charge up their credit cards or take on multiple jobs to purchase expensive items to give the illusion that they are rich. Why? Perhaps, they believe they’ll be seen in a higher light and have special privileges because of their belief that money holds power and influence. How many material objects do we need to possess? With homelessness and starvation still a huge problem in the world, do we really want to be the next millionaire or billionaire? Why not choose to live a simple life and share our excess with others?

If you go through your closets, cupboards, and drawers, you will probably find plenty of things that you no longer use. Why not donate those items to a charity or donation center? If you are wealthy or have a surplus of cash, why not share some of that wealth with those in need? We all have a responsibility to help the less fortunate. Every person should have access to clean food, clean water, and a comfortable home. This should be our birthright!

If we turn on the TV, flip through a magazine, or even take a stroll in the neighborhood, we are being bombarded by overly provocative attire. A growing number of women are parading about in bras, skin-tight pants, and shorts so short that they barely cover their private parts. Why? Perhaps it’s the lack of positive role models and the failure to teach women to value and love themselves. On a similar note, a great number of men are not taught how to respect and appreciate women. Many have been taught by the media and society to treat women as sexual objects for their own pleasure and gain. Some men have even been told that it’s okay to honk their car horn, whistle, hoot and holler, and say degrading comments to the woman they are lusting after. We have degraded the human body. We have cheapened sex. Why not treat the body as a temple and the sexual experience as something sacred?

Let’s encourage women to wear elegant, modest clothes that are beautiful and flowy. Sexually provocative clothing, if desired, should be worn for your partner in a private setting. Sex should be a beautiful experience between two people that love and care for each other. It’s time for women to show other women how to love and honor their body. And it’s time for men to teach other men how to treat women with respect, care, and love.

Between television and the movies, we are being inundated by ugly behavior. In Jack Johnson’s brilliant song, Good People, he asks:

Where did all the good people go?
I've been changing channels
I don't see them on the TV shows

Jack is right. The “good people” are not to be found on the TV shows. They have been replaced by cheap television programming that encourages bad behavior. It has become the new norm to have a bad attitude, be rude, and blurt out insensitive comments, not caring who is stepped on and hurt along the way, so long as there is an increase in likes and follows. We have forgotten how to be beautiful. We have been tricked to believe that our outward appearance is everything. In truth, beauty stems from the heart. What makes a person beautiful?

When we are kind, helpful, caring, appreciative, compassionate, and loving, we are being beautiful human beings. In pre-school and kindergarten, children are taught to share, say “please” and “thank you”, be kind and courteous, and play nicely with their fellow classmates. We can learn to adopt these important behaviors. Our children are wonderful teachers. They help us to appreciate the present moment and can teach us to connect to our precious hearts.

It’s essential that we refrain from putting people on pedestals. We are spiritual beings having a human experience. From a spiritual perspective, there is no better than or less than. We are all equal, connected, and have originated from Source—that which we call God.

We don’t need to be the next billionaire or chase after endless possessions. No amount of money or material objects will ever satisfy the ego. Real wealth is found by connecting to God within and living a simple life filled with appreciation and love.

Our body is a sacred temple that we should honor, respect, and treat with love. It’s important that we set healthy boundaries. We shouldn’t allow others to disrespect, harm, or violate our sacred temple.

Transforming our world begins with each and every one of us. Following the Golden Rule should be something that we adhere to strongly. We already know in our society that our selfishness and negative behavior have led to an unbearable reality. It’s high time that we do something different—something positive and constructive. If we wish for more peace and love in the world, we have to set the example. We need to be a guiding light for others.

This concludes Part One.

In Part Two, we will explore:

1. Worshiping Youth Versus Accepting the Aging Process
2. Glorifying and Romanticizing Violence Versus Living in Peace and Harmony
3. The Workaholic Parent Versus the Nurturing and Attentive Parent
4. Attaching to the Ego Versus Connecting to Our Divine Nature