Values

If your life unexpectedly ended this very moment, how would you feel about the life you left behind? Would you be able to look back without regret saying that you enjoyed a happy life, that you did the things that were important to you, that you had the opportunities you needed to love and be loved? Could you say you had the chance to fulfill some of your dreams, that your being here made a difference, that you are leaving behind something of you that will live on?

Prayerfully considering these questions brings us in touch with what we most value. Values may change as we progress through life. A young adult setting out to claim the rest of her life following school may value investments to build equity and lead to financial security. The thirysomething person caught in what is perceived as a deadend job may be willing to risk security to pursue changes that heighten the potential for career success or fulfillment while opportunities and options are still available to him. The fiftysomething or older person who recognizes that more days lie in her wake than lay before her, that realize that no material possession will be of use when life reaches its end, will instead treasure memories and value experiences.

Making the most of the present moment is not possible without knowing what it is we most value. Where are your values? Have they changed as your life has progressed? Can you think of an instance where knowing what you value helped you to make a wise life choice?