Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was the
recipient of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize and the first
person to win it while under detention. When asked
by a journalist if she was ever afraid of her captors,
who could harm her physically or emotionally at any
time, Aung San replied, “No, because I did not hate
them and you cannot be frightened of what you do
not hate. Hate and fear go hand-in-hand.”
To me, that is an awesomely powerful statement of
values. Aung San has captivated the world’s attention
as a non-violent protestor. She values peace over
violence and love over hate, even in the most
trying of circumstances.
What are your core values? These are the noble
qualities and characteristics that reside in your heart.
They’re not for sale. It is your core values that guide
who you are being while you are doing life.
An interesting observation about values is that they
don’t stay constant over time. Your values evolve as
you evolve. By looking to other individuals you admire
(living or past), you can gain insight into the new
values now seeking emergence in your life.
Complete this short exercise to discover, or re-discover,
your core values.
Here is a list of classic values to stimulate your thinking.
Achievement
To challenge myself and to achieve my goals.
Belonging
To be accepted by others and to feel included.
Concern for Others
To be a part of the well-being and support of others.
Creativity
To have new ideas and create new things.
Curiosity
To be open and inquisitive into the nature of oneself, others, and the universe.
Financial Prosperity
To be successful at making money or buying things.
Freedom
To be free from all inward and outward constraints, real or imagined.
Forgiveness
To give others and myself the freedom and space to make mistakes, learn, and grow.
Grace
To be blessed with tranquility and peace.
Honesty
To be truthful in one’s words and conduct.
Honor
To grant and command trust and respect.
Health and Activity
To be healthy and physically active.
Humility
To be humble and modest about my accomplishments.
Independence
To make my own decisions and do things my way.
Interdependence
To follow the traditions and expectations of my family or of a group.
Integrity
To be congruent in thoughts, words and actions.
Laughter
To have a sense of humor at oneself and life’s follies.
Love
To feel and express love for oneself and others
Objective Analysis
To use logical principles to understand and solve problems.
Peace
To feel peace and to express peace.
Privacy
To have time alone.
Prosperity
To have a successful or thriving abundance.
Responsibility
To be viewed as dependable and trustworthy.
Service
To be a part of humanitarian, social justice, or stewardship endeavors.
Surrender
To turn one’s life over to a higher ideal.
Spirituality
To have spiritual beliefs that reflect being a part of something greater than myself.
Wholeness
To have self-awareness, self-acceptance, wisdom, and peace.
