Well there you have the famous (infamous?) quote on education - that much maligned institution. I think that it is not wrong, at least it is more right, than just learning facts - any computer has us beat at that. But true education, what is that? A truly educated person must, in my estimation, be a person of the heart AND the mind, a person of solid values, which may well transcend those of the particular culture they find themselves in.
Society changes and with it its values. Culture exerts pressure on us to be "normal" yet no one truly is. We are all unique. Society at its best is beneficial for all members. One might venture that ours is not that society at present. But society is quite capricious in its value system at the best of times. For example, one day killing is the most heinous thing and those that kill will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law if it is proved they did it. The next day, the government, having declared war or joined a country that has, is seeking out those who will be not only willing to kill for them but good at it. A complete turnabout, don't you think? Or do you think? But more importantly what does your heart tell you about it? Is it all right to kill because someone somewhere has decided it is?
We face dilemmas of this nature as humans and when we do, we may not have much time to reflect on what our values tell us. We may have to decide in a split second. So we need to know what we stand for - what we will and will not do. All of the "greats" of history knew this and to the extent that they did, they were great. I think of the recently deceased Nelson Mandela on this point, or Mahatma Gandhi. Their nation and ultimately the whole of humanity benefitted from their staying true to their values despite great pressure to do what others would do.
So as 2014 begins, do a values review, here are five possible questions to have on your review list:
1. Is it all right to kill another person? In anger? In self-defense? Never?
2. Is it all right to take something that belongs to someone else without returning it? If it is small? If they have more than one? If they have more finances than you? If you are angry with them?
3. Is it all right to talk badly about something? If they won't find out? If they have hurt you?
4. Is it all right to undercut someone? To help someone else? To help yourself?
5. Is it all right to take your emotions out on others? If they are not important to you? If they can't hurt you? If you are having a bad day?
Knowing how you stand on these five is a good beginning to having a solid value system that will help you instinctively make choices you will be able to live with.
Love and Light!
Society changes and with it its values. Culture exerts pressure on us to be "normal" yet no one truly is. We are all unique. Society at its best is beneficial for all members. One might venture that ours is not that society at present. But society is quite capricious in its value system at the best of times. For example, one day killing is the most heinous thing and those that kill will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law if it is proved they did it. The next day, the government, having declared war or joined a country that has, is seeking out those who will be not only willing to kill for them but good at it. A complete turnabout, don't you think? Or do you think? But more importantly what does your heart tell you about it? Is it all right to kill because someone somewhere has decided it is?
We face dilemmas of this nature as humans and when we do, we may not have much time to reflect on what our values tell us. We may have to decide in a split second. So we need to know what we stand for - what we will and will not do. All of the "greats" of history knew this and to the extent that they did, they were great. I think of the recently deceased Nelson Mandela on this point, or Mahatma Gandhi. Their nation and ultimately the whole of humanity benefitted from their staying true to their values despite great pressure to do what others would do.
So as 2014 begins, do a values review, here are five possible questions to have on your review list:
1. Is it all right to kill another person? In anger? In self-defense? Never?
2. Is it all right to take something that belongs to someone else without returning it? If it is small? If they have more than one? If they have more finances than you? If you are angry with them?
3. Is it all right to talk badly about something? If they won't find out? If they have hurt you?
4. Is it all right to undercut someone? To help someone else? To help yourself?
5. Is it all right to take your emotions out on others? If they are not important to you? If they can't hurt you? If you are having a bad day?
Knowing how you stand on these five is a good beginning to having a solid value system that will help you instinctively make choices you will be able to live with.
Love and Light!
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