Knowing What Is Important To You

In today's blog, I want to discuss, knowing what is important to you, personally. I do not mean what you have been programmed and indoctrinated to think are important, but what you consider the primary considerations in your life.

For this rumination, we are setting to one side those things you consider important, which have to do with other people--your loved ones and personal responsibilities. However, once you have figured out what is important to you, and you actually begin to live by them, it will reflect on all the other aspects of your life.

It doesn't seem as though this is something very many people have given any thought to in their lives, and is a good subject to write in your Journal about, (if you have decided to follow my suggestion and start one). Currently, if people do have a short list of what is important to them, (if one is to believe the primary sources of information these days) they seem to include: making money; sports; drinking; sex; religion; "my" Country; keeping illegals out of "my" Country; and other people's sex lives, in about that order.

In the past, there were things called, "values," which individuals held to be the most important. "Values," what are those?, you ask. The dictionary gives primary importance to "value(s)" in terms of how much something is worth. It defines "values" in terms of "ethics," as having to do with, "any object or quality desirable as a means or as an end in itself." "Ethics!?!" you respond, and ask, What's that?

In general, ethics have to do with rules of conduct; what is expected of an individual or group. It used to be that these were, along with values, passed along to you as part of your cultural programming. However, the more I think about it, the less it seems that there is any real cultural programming going on any more; at least in this country.

In actuality, this country has never had anything in the way of National cultural programming. The reason for this, of course, is that this is a Nation made up of many diverse cultures. As those specific cultures have broken down, in the homogenization process, (which is what, "becoming an American" is all about) those cultural values and ethics get lost. There is, however, definite regional cultural programming--Southern, Bible Belt, Texan, City, Country, Californian, Midwestern, etc., etc.--which can be considered to have replaced, "culture" in this country, to some degree.

Now that I have defined those terms, I want to say that these are not what I am talking about when I encourage you to know what is important, to you as an individual. It is, however, important to know what, if any, cultural/regional values and ethical principals you may be programmed with, in order to decide for yourself if they are valid. If you are a member of one, or more, cultural groups, which still maintains some cohesion, or grew up in a particular region of the country, (or city versus country) you have them as part of your programming.

As an example, some of the things that are important to me, as an individual, are: to tell the truth, as much as possible, particularly to myself; to be honest in my dealings with other people; to be a responsible person--I do what I say I will do, or have a valid reason why not; to be responsible for my own physical health, and to keep myself physically healthy; to educate myself as to what is, "reality," and to be actively involved in at least one form of creativity.

I suggest that, if your are keeping a Journal, you make up such a list for your own edification. Many people have such a list internalized, but don't know it. At least give it some thought. If you take a look at what you consider important, you need to determine whether they are actually important to you, and whether or not you have been programmed to believe in their importance.

Unless we are self-disciplined, most of us spend our available, non-work time, doing what we want to do, no matter what we tell other people. If we have responsibilities, such as to young children, even those may be put aside to do what we want to do. If there is nothing we consider particularly important, other than, "having a good time," we will accomplish nothing of importance in our lives.

In my personal list of what is important to me, the first three are commitments to myself; the next two, I have actively pursued since the mid-70's; the last, I have actively pursued all of my adult life. As a result, I can look myself in the mirror, every day, and not have to make excuses to myself.

Unfortunately, it seems to take half-a-lifetime, or more, for many people to begin to "settle-down," and get serious abut themselves. There is a quote I love, which applies here: "The trouble is, I had lived most of my life, before I discovered it was a 'do-it-yourself job'." (anon.)

Take this quote to heart.

I leave you with that for today.

Shirley Gallup