" Values are not taught ! Values are caught ..."

Values are not taught! Values are caught!"

It took me some time to understand the true meaning of this phrase.

You see, I always believed we followed values that we were brought up with. On digging deeper into the subject, I realised that this phrase is so true!

Just as we are known by the company we keep, so too we adapt or imbibe the values of the people we surround ourselves with.

This can be for many reasons.

- We may have been brought up in very strict households and did not have the freedom to follow our ways. Then when we meet people who seem happy doing things their way, we divorce our earlier values and adapt to the new mannerisms.

- Sometimes we feel disillusioned with the way our lives are going and we compare the lives of our peers, friends, or even our social acquaintances. We find convenience in following their ways of life and thinking, and give up on our moral values.

- Money and affluent lifestyles make the maximum impact on our moral standing.

We automatically connect the value of wealth to good values.

In truth, it is not at all related.

Money can buy you happiness but it cannot buy you respect, dignity, decency or moral values.

I have experienced this first hand. I tried very hard to teach strong moral values to someone, but the lure of convenience, money and an easy lifestyle was no match for me.

It's sad because eventually you find you are surrounded by people who share those low standards and values. You start to attract those kind of people. It is then that one begins to imagine that those are strong values.

Anyone who does not abide by those morals will find ways to leave.

When there are children involved, it becomes even harder.

" Children are silent observers. They may not react at the time, but down the line, they will display those same qualities they saw their elders follow. By then it is too late! "

It is hard to have strong ethical moral values, especially in today's world.

You are not accepted as part of the 'in crowd' so to speak!

You may find yourself alone.

For me there is no compromise. I need to be able to walk tall with my head held high, never having even a hint of self loathing or regret, and feeling safe in the knowledge that I have not lowered my standards for anything!

--------BIH@G