values.

 When the word ‘values’ is mentioned before me, I immediately think of Justice or Injustice, Rights or Wrongs, Truth or Lies, Kindness or Rudeness. As a matter of fact, the dictionary definition of the word ‘values’ (in this context) is “principles or standards of behaviour; one’s judgement of what is important in life.” What is important in life. My friends, my family, my hobbies. Are these my values?

The word value originated in 1300 BCE from 3 separate languages – Middle East, Latin and French. Simply put, they all boiled down to being strong and being worth something. To have a virtue. The human nature of strength is perhaps its oldest and most natural state. Even as palaeolithic beings, strength was one thing all of humanity could rely on. To be strong meant to be valuable, of worth to the rest. Because to be strong meant you could hunt, fish, gather, and survive.  Over the years, the meaning of the word strength evolved. Our life became easier, and strength stopped being just physical but mental too.

The only value I have is to be not just a decent but a good human being. A good friend, a good sister, a good daughter, but also a good me. People think it's much easier to hate and scorn, but the truth is that being good is not just easy, it's also rewarding. The next time a waiter messes up your order or drops your food on the ground, watch the way their eyes light up in relief when you’re not angry.

Our values do not just shape society, they are shaped by it. Your circumstances, upbringing, and surrounding people heavily influence how you think and talk, shaping the values you use as a building block to life. That doesn’t mean they’re carved in stone.