My Core Values

This post is in response to HomeschoolDaddy's post on his 8 core values. He is interested in hearing what the values of others are, how they live them out and how they pass them on to the next generation. Be sure to post yours and let me know so I can check them out.

I know that I have values. I think that most people would say that they do. I think that some would even dare to say, myself included, that they have lived portions of their lives in direct contrast to their core values. Perhaps not having them listed and referring to them regularly is a primary contributor to such.

In a world where the motto seems to be to each his own and where many people seem to live unto themselves. It is important to have a list of core values, a standard by which to measure life. However, I am not sure that I have ever sat down and listed them or that I even have any idea of how many I have.

I found a great list here for anyone who may need some help putting their core values into words.

Some of my values come from things that I learned from important people in my life such as my Grandmother who always said "Baby, don't ever be a liar. If you'll lie you'll steal and if you'll steal you'll kill." Other values of mine come from my spiritual journey and my desire to emulate Christ.

OK, so here is what I came up with:

• Purity
  
• Excellence
  
• Honesty
  
• Integrity
  
• Selflessness
  
• Hope
  
• Non-conformity
  
• Service
• Simplicity
• Kindness

I live these values out by first purposing in my heart that I will live by them and make them a part of my daily life, and then looking for practical ways to put them into action. By living them out in my daily life, I easily pass them on to my children. They are quick to model the behavior that they see in me-the good the bad and the ugly. :)

Another way to live out my values effectively is to surround myself with people who have similar values. When I am around honest people, it becomes increasingly difficult to be comfortable living a lie.

I will be sure to post more information on each individual value. This topic has stirred by mind.