Time and again its proven that values matter over other factors like inheritance or lottery. Warren Buffet emphasized this truth by giving away 35 billion dollars to Bill Gates Foundation. There are both pros and cons of inheritance. If rightly guided with quality values the inherent detail will prosper and even outdo the will maker.
Why Values?. Well values can’t be taken or lost in case of financial meltdown. And they multiply over period of time. Over long run, persistent values survive even the man/woman. To contradict myself its vice versa too. Values too have been doomed, but such cases are rare.
Ultimate aim is survival, this is the very being of man. Not to perish. Having met many people over years of professional and personal journey, the realization have finally sunk in. Its not the clan, blood line or ancestry. Its the desire to excel and carving a niche. The individual makes the difference, and with right values, much is accomplished.
Here we don’t talk about financial or professional success. It will be in limited scope defining the Will of Woman/Man. Society as ever congratulates every success and secretly harbors downfall so dancing ritual could be performed over the doomed soul.
I remember reading years ago an essay” eirsha tu na aiye mere ghar”, by Munshi Prem Chand. The writing left a deep impression on me. The writer talked about the very essence of human nature. Where man becomes so weak at other’s success.
Here the values come in. The so called social evaluation have to be dropped. What social standing got to do with the virtues of a man/woman. But, short term gains focuses the lens on wallet rather then substance.
Such people with Values are rare, you might find them in old friends who are indifferent to your present status, or new acquaintances who judge with quality than standing.
Randomly came across this blog. Many thoughts you’ve tried to pen down….Below is my initial response to what you’ve written:
Values are the essence of man. They are instilled in us as we grow up and along with our experiences, mould us into the people we become. Thomas Carlyle once said “A person usually has two reasons for doing something: a good reason and the real reason.” Now whether one defends their actions as doing what’s best for their survival or not, we have a moral responsibility, including not to harm or hurt others along the way. While the latter may happen inevitably, it is neither excusable nor necessary to be an opportunist (saying a backup plan is always necessary). But then again, Dennis Wholey said “Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are a good person is a little like expecting a bull not to attack you because you are a vegetarian.”
Unfortunately, or fortunately, we represent every characterization we are associated with including, our families, our faiths, our communities, our professional affiliations and the like. Our actions lay the foundation for stereotypes. All the more reason to think about the responsibility to act with good faith and to think of others along the way so that our actions do not reflect poorly on those closely affiliated with us.
Man’s (or woman’s) weaknesses are limiting factors in success. Selfishness, lacking insight into long term consequences of one’s actions, not taking responsibility for one’s actions are amongst many limiting factors in one’s personal and professional journeys. To be successful in any domain one must have a clear vision of their goal and how they are going to reach the goal. The problem is when people are either wishy washy about what they want and the inconsistent moral values they implement in their journey.
What is key in life is introspection, the ability to analyze one’s own actions and improve ourselves before blaming others for our successes or failures. We cannot change or control others so we may as well strive to be our best and Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) said it best;
The aim of life is self-development. To realize one’s nature perfectly – that is what each of us is here for.