Values: The Elusive Goal

Tempest 1508
 artist Giorgione

Behind every great story is another story. Life is a meaningful story of becoming, changing, growing, learning, adjusting and mastering. Those who do interesting things are not driven by money and prestige. The challenge may be important and the ability to overcome is important. Whether this situation turns out as it should, as I suspect it will, it also leaves a little sting. 

Such things happen because of values. At the end of the day, no matter where things are going forward, it was the values that drive people. Patriotism isn't only about flags and BBQ. There is something deeper in it all. It is about certain principles and values that lead to a shared sense of community and purpose. It is universal in its orientation.

I will not go into who has values and who is the first to dump them when they can self-enrich or get something (I got good at figuring out people and fairly accurate in my predictions of their depth of values.). The words people use mean very little when poor decision after poor decision become apparent. Walking the talk requires us to believe in those values of freedom beyond self-interest and surface symbolism. 

Occasional there are people who prick our conscious and they didn't do it for money. They did it because they care. Investors should put their money where their values are because they are building a world around them, building economic structures, impacting millions of lives/souls, and they should consider what the bigger picture is when they do that. Money is awesome, making money is awesome, but it must be based in something deeper. 

When you get the top of the score card you are only left with yourself. I hope you like what you see. 

Here is a good study on values. Think about why people do things that you don't understand and persist despite having few or no rewards. Sometimes, there are more important things then self-flattery and self-enrichment. All patriotism should teach the deeper values of a society and not get hung on symbolism alone. Symbolism is only an anchor that leads to a deeper dive into the essence and soul of a nation.

We will meet our challenges as a people and best them. That will require greater focus then we are accustomed and that will require us to dive deeper into our own personal and shared universal values. 

Do you know that guy has a Muslim Name?