The Value of Our Values

There’s nothing “ordinary” about decency, courage under fire, compassion, tenacity, lion-heartedness, and that is what is being called forth in a moment – a deeply mythic moment – like this. ~ Dr. Martin Shaw

In our world right now, there is a siren sounding. If we are awake, we are alert and paying attention. Fear and hatred threaten our social covenants, civil rights, our diverse communities, and the safety of our planet and its global family.

Times of societal upheaval call on us to know with conviction what we stand for, and compel us to act with extraordinary courage and hope on behalf of our deepest values. When our core values are in discord with what we see happening around us, it is vital to stay connected to our “core.”

At A Network for Grateful Living, our work is grounded in a powerful mission, vision and 12 fundamental values including respect, compassion, interconnectedness, and humility. Grateful living helps us cope with feelings of fear, rage, and helplessness by steadying us and bringing perspective — even reminding us of joy — while also freeing and moving us to act in such a way that can help to bend history, even ever so slightly, in the direction of love.

Doing something – anything – that expresses our clarity of heart is moving; it will move those around us, and it can help to move the dial of the world.

Even if we are unsure of what to do, or we fumble and bumble our way through, we are called to protect the sacredness of what we value. Digging into our hearts and listening deeply, we may be called to do something we have never done before. Now is the time to muster our creativity, love, and strength. Doing something – anything – that expresses our clarity of heart is moving; it will move those around us, and it can help to move the dial of the world.

So, in the spirit of our shared values, we invite you to join us in acting on behalf of those things you treasure and want to preserve and create in our world. In support, we offer the images and words of wisdom below to inspire you, and to share freely with others:

“In a time of destruction, create something: a poem, a parade, a community, a school, a vow, a moral principle; one peaceful moment.” ~ Maxine Hong Kingston

“Deep trust in life is not a feeling but a stance that you deliberately take. It is the attitude we call courage.” ~ Br. David Steindl-Rast

Photo by Linda Hannum

“Peacemaking doesn’t mean passivity…It is about a revolution of love that is big enough to set both the oppressed and the oppressors free.” ~ Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals

“Only when we’re brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” ~ Brené Brown

Photo by Jonathan Pie/Unsplash

“If we remember those times and places where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us energy to act and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction.” ~ Howard Zinn

“We are the ones for whom we have been waiting.” ~ Hopi Elders

“It is a huge danger to pretend that awful things do not happen. But you need enough hope to keep going. I am trying to make hope. Flowers grow out of darkness.” ~ Corita Kent

Photo by Aaron Burden/Unsplash

“You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith, and hope.” ~ Thomas Merton

“Courage has nothing to do with our determination to be great. It has to do with what we decide in that moment when we are called upon to be more.” ~ Rita Dove

“Hope is like a road in the country: there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence.” ~ Lin Yutang

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

“With our practice, we can turn our gaze and our heart toward the very dilemmas of our time and enter as activists who cool and soothe the situation.” ~ Jack Kornfield

“Ultimately, we have just one moral duty: to reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves, more and more peace, and to reflect it towards others. And the more peace there is in us, the more peace there will also be in our troubled world.” ~ Etty Hillesum

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We’d love to hear from you. Please share a quote below that inspires you to live by your values…