The Values That Make Us Human by Garima Chaudhary, B.Sc. (Hotel Management) IHM Pusa, Delhi

The Values That Make Us Human

Do you know what is 'common' between us and the saints?

That, we all are the 'creatures of the god'.

Do you know that is 'uncommon' between us and the saints?

The 'sacredness' of the saints.

Do you know what 'should be common' between us and the saints?

'The values of life that make us a human'.

"Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values".

— Dalai Lama

Today's generation is moving at a very fast rate. As a parent, spouse or business professional, we encounter several circumstances each day which test our patience, character and the peace of mind. During such times, our values guide us and shape our priorities and reactions.

Here, I am going to emphasize the importance of three values which. I believe are the basic values to be a human and to live peacefully in today's scenario.

(i) Character

"Reputation is what others think of you. Character is what you know yourself to be".

— Helen Keller

Character means that you take pride in being the absolute best that you can be, regardless of whether anyone else is paying attention. Character is what you owe to yourself; your dignity, integrity, effort and self-respect.

If one has to choose between 'character' and "Reputation'; one should always choose "Character" because reputation can be earned for the second time but character can't.

(ii) Forgiveness

"The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naïve forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget".

—Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

We live, we fight, we forgive, we forget. It is cycle of life which goes on. It is natural to feel bad, to feel hitting back after a fight. But what makes us stable in such condition is the ability to go let it go. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong, it makes us at peace and give us an upper hand. One should forgive, but never forget the lesson learnt from pain.

(iii) Tolerance

"Tolerance is about how your beliefs lead you to treat people who disagree with you".

—Mahatma Gandhi

Lack of tolerance in today's society is leading to, matricide, patricide, fratricide etc. And 'suicide'. If we wish to have peace and harmony in our societies and personal lives, we need to develop and imbibe the value of tolerance within ourselves. Tolerance  comes by from learning to forgive.

So, a value system can keep people moving along in life making good choices and  being proud of who they are. When our actions and words are aligned with our values, life is generally good and we feel content, confident and satisfied and proud of ourselves.