What is a Value?
Here at The PATH, you'll see us write a lot about beliefs, values, and practices. After all, we define spirituality as 'the constellation of beliefs, values, and practices that give one's life a Deeper Meaning'—so building spiritual health requires working with each of those three components.
However, this begs the question, 'what are beliefs, values, and practices?' In this post, we'll dive into our understanding of values.
The Essence of Values: Beyond Money and Utility
While modern society often equates value with monetary worth or utility, at The PATH, we focus on the other - arguably more important - meaning of value: "a person's principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life." For us, values are the deep-seated principles that guide our actions and mold our world.
Values and Actions: A Dynamic Interplay
Values are essentially about how we choose to act. If beliefs dictate what we think, values are the blueprint for our actions. They form our ethical framework and influence our decisions across all aspects of life—from how we interact with others to the personal goals we pursue. Values like honesty, compassion, and integrity shape not just individual choices but also the collective ethos of communities and societies.
The Gap Between Stated Values and Actions
Interestingly, research indicates a disconnect between the values people profess and their actual behavior. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, studies showed that even among people who claimed to value public health measures, actual behaviors often contradicted these stated principles. This discrepancy suggests that what we claim as our values might not always align with the values we live out daily.
This gap is not uncommon; many of us aspire to be more ethical, caring, and selfless than our actions show us to be. However, the divergence between ideal and actual values can lead to a decline in spiritual health and happiness.
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
Bridging the Gap: Spiritual Health Reports
At The PATH, we recognize the challenge in aligning one's stated values with their actions. To aid in this journey of self-discovery and alignment, we offer spiritual health reports. These reports begin with reflective exercises that you complete independently, followed by sessions with one of our Spiritual Companions—a trained professional with a Master's in Divinity. These sessions are designed to help you clarify and discover your true values.
The Impact of Understanding Our Values
Knowing our true values can profoundly affect our lives. Discovering an unexplored value can help us understand and relinquish life patterns that no longer serve us and replace them with habits that make us proud. Below are some practical steps to discovering and living your values.
Self-Reflection: Begin with introspection. What principles guide your decisions? What values drove you to choose your career, the neighborhood you live in, the hobbies you engage in? When do you feel most fulfilled?
Journaling: Regularly write down your thoughts and reactions to different situations. Over time, patterns will emerge that highlight your true values.
Feedback from Others: Sometimes, an external perspective can provide insights into values you live out that you might not recognize.
Aligning Actions with Values: Identify one value each week and consciously try to enact it in your daily life. Reflect on this process—what felt natural, and what was challenging?
Continual Reassessment: As we grow and change, so do our values. Regularly revisiting and reassessing our values is crucial to ensure they still represent who we are and who we aspire to be.
Conclusion
Values are the silent forces that drive much of our behavior. They shape our interactions, influence our choices, and dictate the legacies we leave behind. At The PATH, we believe that by understanding and aligning our actions with our true values, we can lead more meaningful and impactful lives. Engage with us to explore your values deeply, and let us help you live a life aligned with your deepest beliefs and standards.
