Name What You Value!

There is a false floor in current societies thinking that there is a neutral way of doing things, of living life or making decisions. However, regarding values, there is no such thing as neutral; if we opt for value (a) then we forgo value (b)! When we abandon a conventional value then we automatically select another from a wide range of valuing nothing to attributing what we value to what may be monetary, religious, spiritual, physical, cultural .... How we live is rooted in what we value most with that value found in what we give our time to, our topics of conversation, our very thoughts and investments of all forms.

Parents dig deep into their value system when choosing a school for their children with gender, faith, academics, choice of location .... among some factors reflecting what is most precious in their family and aspirations. We all reflect our values in the manner of which we socialise, in what we place as priorities in our spending, in what we choose as priorities in terms of what is given time .... Our local community declares values by its' manner of inclusivity, of investment, in the choice of planned amenities, in the symbols which are displayed and those which are not tolerated.

We have seen the value of ruthless power put to the fore by President Trumps interference in the World Cup, bringing about a most unjust result where a deserved, relatively small, penalty was annulled! The rules were dismissed at his whim and with the permission of those who are meant to protect the players. Organisations sacrificed true sporting values falling at the feet of one who is causing the worst of disruption in world politics, with no regard for the dignity of the innocent humans whose lives are being destroyed. Where was regard for the injured player valued!? Where was the value of the sport reflected?

Every single choice we make; every action we take; every action we don't take; every person we associate with; every commitment we make or disregard .... all point to our values, whither deep or shallow! Only deep values will hold us in times that are difficult or challenging!

In a world where there is little space for quiet and reflection, there is a danger that the constant adrenalin rush will carry us on a floating surface. Consideration of what we belief, don't believe, treasure, enjoy at a heartfelt way directs us towards something which could form a firm root to carry us as individuals, as families, as local communities. The summer season is a good time to pause and give time to considering what we value and how our lives may be held more firmly on those values by our prioritisation in September. Sheep follow one another for safety! We are not sheep - our safety is found at the very core of our own beings with genuine courage and passion driving us towards our best lives, held by acknowledged values.

We each really matter! Our decisions and actions matter and have impact far wider than on just ourselves and more-so than any of us realise! We are not living in a vacuum and are never neutral!

Cathy Burke,
Catechist in the Lucan Partnership of Parishes