Entry # 3

Values, as stated by the book, are beliefs that incline us to act or to choose one way rather than the other. It is the foundation of our ethical framework. So it is said most of the time, the values we have are what influences us in thinking what is right or wrong. And because everyone of us doesn’t necessarily share the same set of values, our perception of right and wrong may differ.

Ms. Bonnet asked us to answer a sheet of paper that contained different values and we were asked to rate it from 1-18 if I remember correctly, 1 being the thing we value or yearn for most and 18 the least thing we yearn for. And when she asked us to share the values we have with other people, I found out that we did have different things we valued. But the common things we shared, not necessarily in the same order, are happiness and financial safety (if I remember correctly).

And I guess that says a lot about our generation. We want to be happy and travel and meet people and gain new experiences but in the end we can’t do all that without something to finance us. We live in a generation where consumerism is rampant and almost a part of everyone’s lives. Speaking for myself, I know I’ll be happy if I meet someone who share a common interest with me and I will also be happy if I know I can buy what I need (food, shelter, etc.) without worry. But it doesn’t mean all of us are like that, it’s just how I interpret the results.

As the class ended, I realized how my values affect how I see life. Truthfully, I see happiness is something in life I have to work for, and because I value financial safety, I can never be able to feel true happiness until I know that I can provide for my future family and make them feel that I can provide their needs and all they have to worry about are themselves and their studies (for my future children). And I guess it’s because that’s how my parents raised me. They raised me being able to give me more than what I need and they have given me such a good life I want my future kid to experience the same thing. This doesn’t mean that I’m a materialistic person, I’m just saying why should my kids experience it when my parents found a way to raise me well and healthy? That also says a lot about values in general. Values are hard to change because I think it has been instilled to us ever since we were young. It’s something we truly believe in. I know I still have a long way to go, but I hope the values I’ll continue to acquire in the passing years are good values and not values that will push me to do the opposite thing.