There are various explanations of core values. Some writers and philosophers prefer to suggest that a person can change their core values at will; almost as easily as switching your style of wardrobe.
For the intent of this writing, let’s refer to a core value as a deeply rooted impression. These values will be affected by: childhood trauma, parental teaching, religious upbringing, and the list goes on. Many of these core values ride along with people, even long after they have an outward change of direction.
I was raised and nurtured by a father who was afraid of drowning. He didn’t like this fear. So, he made efforts to teach his son not to fear water. He took me to different lakes in our lake-studded province of Manitoba. At the same time as he tried to get me to relax, he warned me of the dangers of swimmer’s cramp and undertow. For my tuition, we ventured into hip-deep water. Finally, after a length of time, the swimming lesson was over for the season, and we enjoyed the rest of the day on dry land.
I made headways in conquering these fears to where I learned to enjoy water sports. However, I never did entirely rid myself of my core impression of the dangers involved in swimming. This, to my mind, is an example of core values. In our day-to-day life, we will need to conquer misguided core values.
I experienced great times backcountry canoeing. All the time, I was cognisant of the benefit of wearing life jackets. I was very liberal with my pocketbook decisions, making sure I purchased better-fitting and higher quality jackets. I remained aware of undertow and rip tides. I looked for weather signs before venturing into any stretch of water where the cliffs prevented a safe shoreline. Admittedly, my core values remained. I was a cautious water enthusiast.
Comparing this to life, we will rub shoulders with people that have core impressions that don’t align with ours. Some of us can relate to besetting sins. Some of us will struggle through life with issues we seem to be unable to conquer. In my journey out of alcohol addiction we were taught to repeat again and again the Serenity Prayer. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can. And the wisdom to know the difference.”
May I today extend to others the understanding that can only come from a heart that is aware of one’s own shortcomings.
