VALUE AND VALUE SYSTEMS PART 2
The great critic Leo Velski Julian who told the story said he
would not try to change the course of the train because he believed that the
kids playing on the operational track should have known very well that the track
was still in use, and that they should have run away if they heard the train’s
sirens. If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because
he never thought the train could come over to that track! Moreover, that track
was not in use probably because it was not safe. If the train was diverted to
the track, we could put the lives of all passengers on board at stake! And in
your attempt to save a few kids by sacrificing one child, you might end up
sacrificing hundreds of people to save these few kids.
While we are all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need to be made. What is your anchor at those points in time? What is your reference point?
The group of boys have poor decisions and choices, due to
defective value systems such as nonchalant behavior, disregarding rules and regulations, You can add to the list.
The lone boy? Has right decision and choice —regard for rules, careful to identify between right and wrong and do it irrespective not been popular.
“Remember that what’s right isn’t always popular… and what’s popular isn’t always right.”
So how do you make decisions?
Think about your values and how are your value systems influence your decisions?
How can we make sure we have the right value that will influence our decisions and choices in life?
Let us hear your views.
Our value system is built over time and really by one factor if we don’t entirely focus on it and that is environment. Our environment dictates so much of our character, personality and in this case our values. We must step back and really think about what we value and create mental notes so we are not caught or stuck when we have to make decision major or minor. Another way to look at it is our environment can be changed or rather those we surround ourselves with, we are easily influenced by who we spend our time with and it is important we create a value system before we go out into the world. The earlier the better, it will help us strengthen those values and build on them.
ReplyDeleteYes, we need to be careful how we picth ourselves in any environment we find ourselves. So true that we need to step back and consider the relationships of the enviroment with our values. Yes all our decsion will certainly ;ean on what we have taken into us. Thank you Josh for the valuable lessons you shared. we need to live consiously always. I like reading your perspectives.
DeleteOur values whether we are conscious of it or not run our lives. Our parents are the first category of people who influence our lives from childhood and the values we are thought within the first seven years of our lives greatly impacts our lives till death. If we all can look back and remember how our parents frown at all unethical things we did when we were young, then we will appreciate what they have done for us in giving us the right values of love, respect, honesty, integrity, etc. I will really like to address young people who are the parents of tomorrow to instill the fear of God in their children by showing them the path of life and great value through the bible. This is the manual of life and with God's words in your heart, your destiny is determined. The case of Samuel among the son's of Eli makes it very clear that if you instill the right values in a child he can weather the storm of bad influence. This is a very big topic that will make me write and write and write, permit me to stop here.
ReplyDeleteMay God help us all.
Wow , I reallly would have wished you continue writing, I was enjoying this as it takes me down memory lane of my life too. I see fact in all you said. I think looking inwards and keeping future in focus will help us do what is right and instil by examples what ethical and healthy life styles and upright values are all about and its attendant benefits to one and larger society. Thank you my erstwhile life coach and friend for life. God bless you.
DeleteOur value system is what we cherish and guide jealously all our lives not minding what others may feel or think. The good training given to us from child hood of maintaining a good integrity wherever we find ourselves matters. That will make us to be law abiding and stand out for the right no matter what the majority are doing. You always want to do it well and right not minding what it might cause you. At playground, at school, at work, at church, at home. Whether there are people watching you or not, what matters is maintaining that good virtue at all times. This will shape our mind in the decisions and choices we make because we will always think of the end goal. Your decisions and choices can either make you or mere you depending on your value system.
ReplyDeleteConsider who are the friends I surround myself with, I take counsel from, what are their goals and visions. Does it have positive effect or negative effects on me? This can influence our value system. May God help us.
At some point in our life, we will stumble upon a dilemma in which our value systems and ethical decision are tested. Our points of anchor are representation of our beliefs, our ethical behavior that will significantly influence the action in which we choose to do. Our morality reflects who we are as a human being who choose to do the right thing for other human being. I think that religious is one of the strongest anchors in which an individual or us who put faith into what we believe is the most important may apply as a reference point when facing hard decision. The lessons we read and learn, the community we grown up and culture we adopted helps shape our value systems. In the story from critic Leo Velski Julian who provides his solution to not change the course of the operational train track because he believe the sound of the loud steam would alarm the group of kids whose acknowledge that they are playing on an operational train track and is not safe in comparison to an unused train track that is not only unsafe, but it would also put a risk to a lone child and all of the passenger on the train.
ReplyDeleteMy value system is largely shaped by my *spirituality*, *social norms*, *expectations*, and *experience*. I can agree with some of the comments here that justifies the unwavering filial beliefs/values of individuals being fostered through their childhood upbringing and nurturing. While it is a given that the decisions we make as we grow older are influenced by our childhood experiences, the greater control of our value system can mostly be determined through the bio-psycho-social and spiritual exposures we get. It is safe to say that religion and politics are given undue precedence in our lives because herein lies the policies by which we are governed. The ability to consciously make morally right decisions is a constant struggle between all these changing factors. The ability of a man to think independently for himself regardless of the influences of these changing factors when making decisions, and his ability to take consequences for his actions is the true test of his values. While it is apparent to choose between the good and the greater good, the determination on whether to change the direction of the operational train course can only be ruled as a correct decision after the result is achieved. A plot twist to this narrative is imagining the lone kid being without hearing abilities. What dynamics will that bring to the narrative?
ReplyDeleteWhen we were young we looked like our parents but when we became Grown Ups we look like the decisions we made in previous years, Life is guided by principles which no man can change it's just the Way It Is.
ReplyDeleteEach day about 60,000 thoughts runs through our mind, just like the the Train, one decision could ruin or make positive impact on your environment that even if you want to play a blame game, you would still bear the consequences.....its a principle
Life is too serious than we take it, does not respect anyone
Our decisions are so powerful that it determines our goals whether we like it or not. Ask your self what is my Vision in life, Our Aspirations must be clean and clear to you, I believe it will help us to live a desired purposeful life that would lead to a fulfilled life,
If one is FOCUSED NOT DISTRACTED from his goals in life though people may not buy it but the daily decisions would surely lead us to our written goals(for those who set goals), you dont need to wait for the sirens of the train.
Of a truth our Background, Culture, Parents, Education can go a long to influence our Values but we can build to last with an open mindset and Divine guidance.
OUR VALUES: would help us live deliberately (Learn from your past, use the present to correct the future). Be ready to learn and adapt, Learn Unlearn and Relearn- growth is very important.
Be responsible and Accountable for your decisions (Dont be afraid to take decisions)
Suggested way: if
Urgent+ Important = Do it immediately
Urgent + Not Important = Deligate it to someone else
Important +Not Ugent = Decide when to do it
Not Important + Not Urgent = Do it Later
Have a Great Attitude: Attitude is everything very key, Be Honest, Solve problems, compliment people; it keeps alive and smily, God first in all things, Make Money its a defence, Avoid procrastination.
Our Values and what we Want that would determine what we do. It is not what we Do that determines what we want.
Avoid DIS-TRACTION
Traction move you away from what you want
While ACTION moves you towards your GOALS.
Finally, Life will NOT give you what you want but what you DESERVE
I hope I spoke in the frame of the discussion content. Thanks
Wow, this is very coprehensive and detail. very true that a decison or choice could run down an entire life. Hmmm. Great care needs to be taken here. Such a grave truth. It is so important we take care of heart because the Proverbs says we need to be didligent with it, because out of it are the issues of life. Then we dont want our heart to be polluted or stuff of with immaterial things of less value.
DeleteSo much to garner from you piece. Thank you my dear friend Super v, for enlighten us more on this.
I agree with what everyone is saying, our value system is influenced by what he things that we have seen and experienced, what we are taught and what we believe. Personally, my value system is from how I was raised and my faith. Overtime, as I step out of that box and get new experiences, I have noticed my value system changing in some areas. The way one can ensure that they have a good value system is by surrounding themselves with people with good value systems too (this can actually be biased when it comes to determining what's good). I would say aligning our values with God's is a reliable way.
ReplyDeleteI hope your changing value system from what you were handed over is to a greater value, if not so, check. But this gives me a quaestion here, if you wold I will appreacite your views. How does one check if your value system is correct and intact or drowoninf down the aisle of wrong? We need to have a check and do this always to be sure. Thanks for your contribution always.
DeleteI really like where it says that "what's popular isn't always right, but what's right isn't always popular" which is so true. A situation where someone has to stand out for his faith or what is right may not seem to be popular or accepted by everyone around, but its a really interesting thing also because it differentiates you from the rest of the pack. Eventually, the right thing you did comes around and favors you while the others who chose a different route get their fair share of their decisions. it's also important we stick to making the right decisions because if we don't, then we are going to get so easily swayed by what's happening and what other people are doing are saying, because we have no principal value to depend on.
ReplyDeleteWhat or where should be our source of right decisions, it should be with the Lord. The Lord is so faithful to guide and lead us with his spirit so that we don't get swayed with the movements of the world.
To make the right decsion depends on what our source is. Make a tree good and its fruit shall be good. There is no evil heart that will produce good ourcome. Make your heart clean and associate with cleaner people who could challenge you to do what is right. Your decisons and choices will always be right and will produce a safe condition. We need such young and olde people in this world now. Thank you Joe.
DeleteDecisions are made based on the type of virtues you have. Your virtues lets you know if a decision is good or bad and the only way you can make the right decisions is if you have good virtues. These virtues are not imbued in people, but they are developed as you grow. The society, people you interact with from a young age, and you environment, in general, determines your virtue. You also determine your virtue as you can change them. What you determine as right or wrong can help in changing your virtues. If you grew up in a bad neighborhood and you know the difference between right and wrong, you can make a conscious decision to always do the right thing. Slowly, your virtues begin to change to more positive ones
ReplyDeleteIn reality, and in sum. You can make yourslef or mar yourself with the type and kind of decisons you make , which is influenced by your association. . Choose wisely. Thank you
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