Attitudes and beliefs have a direct influence on actions, decisions and behavior. They are called life values, which largely determine his future fate, allow us to separate between good and bad.
What are life values?
It is a set of rules formed on the basis of one’s own beliefs and moral principles. If a person is forced to compromise his views under the influence of society, he experiences an internal personal conflict. It is accompanied by anguish of conscience, lowered self-esteem, and even depression. He begins to be overcome by thoughts of his own helplessness and uselessness.
The main thing is not to confuse this concept with obligations. Such substitution of notions originates from the need to follow the rules of society, which are then mistakenly interpreted as one’s own beliefs. The definition of life values is based on the presence of four important properties:
- Importance. This is not meant for society, but personally for the individual. When an action is taken, they set the vector of behavior or override in the direction of making a decision.
- Consciousness. Self-control and self-discipline prevent one from overstepping and sticking to one’s views. A good example is adolescence, when a girl or a young man, wanting to join a cool party, but seeing that they hold different values, do not do so.
- Self-sufficiency. There is no need to ask for advice and opinions of others. Personal views allow them to make their own judgments.
- Positive emotions. Obligations or actions under the “pressure” of society cause internal conflict or may not be liked, not enjoyable. Following one’s own views and principles, on the contrary, gives satisfaction and a sense of joy.
These attributes allow us to understand the importance of life values in a person’s life and even help us understand the character traits of an individual. The desire to create a strong family indicates a high level of responsibility and directs all action in this direction. By prioritizing health, people eat right and exercise.
Formation of life values
Psychologists argue that they are created in several stages:
- Family. Parents’ upbringing lays down inner attitudes. The percentage of probability that they will be used throughout life is enormous. There are some exceptions, but not every aspect is affected.
- Kindergarten and school. Once in an educational institution, the child is already faced with a different set of attitudes. Parents cease to play such a weighty role. This is the most important and key stage. It is educators and teachers, and in some cases peers, who begin to form more fundamental beliefs in the child.
- Society. A person is forced to live by the rules dictated by society. If the values of an individual’s life are very different from those generally accepted, he or she becomes censured and condemned. This, too, may play an important role.
- Self-knowledge. Unlike the first three, it comes at a fairly mature age and is based on the information gathered, allowing a better understanding of oneself. Rethinking comes when the realization comes that one’s own views and beliefs do not coincide with the stereotypes imposed.
Ask yourself how you understand life values. The answer and analysis to it will allow you to understand what stage you are at now, in what direction to move. This will allow you to understand yourself and form into a whole person who does not experience inner conflict, but lives happily in harmony with himself.
Examples of Life Values
Each person can have both a minimum and a maximum of attitudes. It all depends on how versatile he is, in what particular society he is in. This does not invalidate the fact that there are certain core values in life:
- Joy. It can be brought by love, recreation, entertainment. Everyone will have their own attitude to the formation of these, but they must be present in life. If they are absent, it is not uncommon to feel apathy and depression.
Relationships. Even the most isolated person feels miserable without family or friends. The desire to have them is an important life value. Close people support and help you move forward. On the other hand, there are those to whom being single brings joy, and relationships strain. - Comfort. It takes finances to have all the comforts one needs. This value is closely intertwined with a family to support. It is only hermits by their own views and beliefs that lead ascetic lifestyles. It is also necessary to understand that the minimum is quite enough for one, while another needs a huge house, a fancy car, and so on to be happy. Their value becomes earnings.
- Health and beauty. People who are guided by this value eat right, exercise, keep themselves in shape and look attractive. This gives them a great pleasure.
- Education. It is important to distinguish whether it is your life value or an imposed social obligation. In the second case, it will not bring any joy. When it is your personal conviction and desire to be educated, getting a diploma and a profession will bring pleasure.
- Career and position in society. Social development is not common to all people, but some people simply cannot do otherwise. They work hard or look for an appropriate partner to be able to live in a fancy house, shop at expensive stores, and so on.
Over time, life values such as self-development, hobbies, and others may emerge. Some are reconsidered with age, as they cease to bring joy to the person or come to understand that they have been imposed by society, parents, and so on.
