My Governing Values

This original post was from Feb. 6, 2010. It's been almost 5 years and I had actually forgotten about this course, but after reviewing it, I realized that my governing values are still the same. Reading about my values made me feel all warm inside, it's the same feeling as getting together with a friend you haven't seen in a while. What are your governing values?

Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan

I went to a course offered by the Human Resources department in my company a few days ago. The title of the course was FOCUS: Achieving your highest priorities. The instructor wanted us to commit to 4 tasks after the class, and we partnered up to ensure our partner actually does keep the commitment. The first of the four, is to think about the values we feel govern our lives. After narrowing over 200 wise words, these are my findings:

1. No Regret
2. Freedom
3. Balance
4. Contentment
5. Respect

I highly recommend you to find your own set of values. The principle is not to have more than 7. After I figured out my values, I felt hopeful, and with a clearer sense of direction. Of course, being as vague as these words are, the direction is just a general feeling, and a blurry one. Because of that I decided to write down what each of these words mean to me, as I'm sure even if another person chooses the same values, they would have a slightly different interpretation.

NO REGRET
- To choose one's actions or inactions based on weighing whether one choice would eventually make you regret more than another
- To live by one's values/ideals and act according to those values/ideals over what may merely be perceived as the social norm
- To maximize one's expression of one's passion and beliefs
- To believe in yourself, believe and be confident in the choices your made, and accept the consequences

FREEDOM
- Being able to do whatever one wants without affecting the liberty, safety, and happiness of others
- Being free from social norms, conventional behaviours and expectations from others
- To be able to feel at ease and/or confident in the path/life one chooses

BALANCE
- Mental or emotional stability, a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions (Oxford Dictionary Online)
- To never have a severe lack or an extreme excess of something
- To never deprive too much of one thing over the preference of another
- To be as close to one's personal equilibrium as possible

CONTENTMENT
- A state of peaceful happiness or satisfaction, accept something as adequate despite wanting something more or better (Oxford Dictionary Online)
- To be satisfied with what you have and find peace in what was, is, and what may come

RESPECT
- A feeling of admiration for someone because of their qualities, due regard for the feelings and rights of others, agree to recognize and abide by (Oxford Dictionary Online)
- To acknowledge others' ideals and preferences but be comfortable with being different than others
- To keep composure, to be calm, polite, and with manner at all times

Don't let your life slip through your fingers without knowing why you did the things you did. Sometimes I wonder if there's any meaning in "life", and maybe there isn't, but there definitely is in "your life". Even if it's a simple one, find your purpose.