The word “values” can be difficult to define with absolute clarity. At their core though values are the beliefs put in action that help inform our path on a daily basis as well as enable others to understand who we are. When we internalize a value it actually becomes a part of who we are. An internalized value exerts itself without being called upon to do so. There is no need to stop and consider the path at the fork in the road. The deeply embedded value simply steers us on to a path.
While the above is a decent working definition it is important to call out a couple of things worth noting.
First, the definition does not mention whether or not the beliefs put in action are useful from a personal or societal perspective. If I value immediate retribution for what I perceive to be a wrong action or wrong belief in others I will haphazardly dole out consequences that are misguided and harmful. This is not a good value in that it places me on a path that is ultimately harmful to both others and to myself. Values can be bad.
The second item of note is the word action that appears in the definition itself. If that word is omitted from the definition, we are left with a person who may believe and say things that are good, but they are unlikely to get off of their phone (or off the couch) to apply them. Regardless of intent what we are left with is a useless value. Without practice a value will not embed itself. It is a value inaction rather than a value in action. Values don’t matter if they aren’t practiced.
A part of the value we provide at Greystone House comes from how we address both of the nuances in this definition. We do so in a way that helps to embed good values that help steer children as they grow into adults. Every week in the newsletter you will find a value that we are emphasizing in the environment. Not only do we emphasize it in lessons, we look for ways to put it in action. The values that we have traditionally emphasized are: Collaboration, Compassion, Courage, Frugality, Honor, Humility, Joy, Justice, Peace, Responsibility, Self-reliance and Wisdom.
Starting in 2023, we will be adding in resiliency as a value and removing joy (which is more of an emotional state). We will also be discussing leadership during some weeks where responsibility is the value and kindness during some weeks where compassion is the value.
No event in life pushes us to examine our values and behaviors more than becoming a parent. It is a continuous struggle to live our values in the face of so many external distractions. Over the coming weeks we will be covering each of these values in depth. Beyond simply defining each value we will also be offering concrete steps that you can take as parents to live them in a way that is reflected back to your child and to reinforce what your child is learning in the classroom.
