Thought 32: Values are important for every person

Amongst all god’s creatures, the human being alone can exercise choice, because he alone has the gift of intellect (called Buddhi in Sanskrit), which enables him to think and to choose, whatever appears to him the right thing to do, under a given set of circumstances.

For instance, every one faces happy circumstances as well as unhappy circumstances in his/her life; you always oscillate between happiness and unhappiness. When happy circumstances visit you, people flock to you even when they are not invited to do so. When unhappy circumstances visit you, however, people abandon you. You are left alone mercilessly. It is at those times, your values stand by you; they give you character and courage to face unpleasant situations and unpleasant people, calmly and bravely.

Very few young people have values nowadays. Even amongst those who have values, very few of them defend their values zealously. You must be amongst the brave few – and cultivate some values and defend them even it involves some loss or disadvantage to you when you do so.

In my school days in India (in the thirties and forties), we used to have what is called a “Moral Instruction” period - once a week in the school. This is now conspicuously absent in the present day school curriculum. Therefore, it becomes very essential for the parents to try to inculcate some values in their children - when they are still young.

Telling truth is a moral value. Respecting elders and teachers is a cultural value. Sympathizing with those who are not so fortunate and with those having physical or mental handicaps is an ethical value.

A few examples of more values are given below.
• Keep your promises but do not feel disappointed, if others do not.
• Keep secrets, but do not expect others to keep them.
• Make new friends, but cherish old and tried friends.
• If you borrow something, do not forget to return it – in a better condition, if possible.

The next thought is about “Teaching values to children”