What do you value? and How much do you value it?
What do I value? and How much do I value it?
The Moon Cannot Be Stolen – A Zen Parable
A Zen master lived the simplest kind of life in a little hut at the foot of a mountain. One evening a thief visited the hut only to discover there was nothing in it to steal.
Ryokan returned and caught him. “You may have come a long way to visit me,” he told the prowler, “and you should not return empty-handed. Please take my clothes as a gift.”
The thief was bewildered. He took the clothes and slunk away.
Ryokan sat naked, watching the moon. “Poor fellow,” he mused, “I wish I could give him this beautiful moon.”
Do I value joy? How much do I value it?
Do I value Divine/Unconditional Love? How much do I value it?
Do I value freedom? How much do I value it?
Do I value truth? How much do I value it?
Do I value friendship? How much do I value it?
Do I value marriage? How much do I value it?
Do I value fidelity? How much do I value it?
Do I value the earth? How much do I value it?
Do I value social mores? How much do I value them?
Do I value self-respect? How much do I value it?
Do I value wealth? How much do I value it?
Do I value material things? How much do I value them?
Do I value power? How much do I value it?
Do I value control? How much do I value it?
Obviously, there many of these kinds of questions to consider on the pathway to designing our lives.
Are there boundaries to consider? Are there limits? Are there parameters?
If so, what are they? Why do they exist? Are the parameters permanent?
Sometimes there can be a conflict between two things we value: Do I value fidelity or my marriage more?
One of the things I value most is truth – truth as I understand it – and truth as others understand it whether I agree with their truth or not.
My life experiences have shown me that the adage: The truth shall set you free is absolutely true.
I also believe that when I am sharing the truth (as I see it) with others, it is important to wrap my truth in kindness if it has the potential to hurt. Kindness does not sugar-coat the truth – kindness is not deceptive; it is gentle.
Dig Deeper
- Pick three items from the list above (or create a list of your own).
- Write down your definition of the item.
- Write down what you value more.
- Write down two barriers you see to achieving that item.
- Write down how you could overcome the barriers.
Email me about any specific question you may have about what you value,
how much you value it, what conflicts those values may create, and how to approach the conflict.
I, of course, cannot guarantee a personal response, but I hope to be able to address your question in some form through this website.
If you are following the Step 5 "CALL TO ACTION" 
of The Seven Significant Steps to Lasting Peace and Joy the links to the questions are listed below:
1. How do I define... (Vital Terms Defined)
a. Spirit?
b. Ego?
c. Divine/Unconditional Love?
d. Fear?
e. Forgiveness?
3. What do I value? and How much do I value it?
Once you have answered ALL 4 questions you will be ready to go on to Step 6.