We take less and less responsibility, shirk from it or shelf it on others. A feeling of frustration sets in when work is not in keeping with one’s life-values. Nietzsche called it “resentment” - dare not act, but complain: “we only compensate ourselves by means of imaginary revenge” (On the Genealogy of Morals, 1887). According to Raphaël Liogier, a philosopher, “Resentment is a very serious social problem, especially in the world of work, where it is at the root of psychological illnesses.” He says, we have a “bad conscience of earning money by doing work that does not correspond to our values.” To work, to earn and be consistent with oneself, is sometimes paradoxical. The solution is not to be a stereotyped radical by dedicating to social work. Instead, according to the held-on values we respect the environment, human rights and flourish where we already are, renouncing the projected self-image and focusing on the concrete reasons that drive us to act.
One seeks to value what God values, and holds them in the highest regard, in imbibing and applying them in his/her life. Created in God’s image, however damaged or distorted though, each one is valued by God himself. Such God-values are always mindful of the poor, oppressed, infirm and the defenseless. These values turn into a character which becomes more important than charisma, and there is no greater paragon of virtue than the values one lives by. Ultimately, we exists primarily for the benefit of others (cf. Col 1:18; 3:23).
Why I should act according to my value system? According to Hegel it is morality that concretely justifies my act. If family is the first value for me, I do something concrete to help my family members, do something from the concrete of the intimate, from what I feel. If not, I can be unhappy even while holding a socially valued job. The driving force has to be mine. We need to introspect ourselves and see if we are selfish, focused only on oneself, one's desires, and one’s feelings. A “metaphysical reflection” starts from the intimate, it means “developing a new relationship with the world, with the environment.”[1] Taking a radical decision, not because of a dogma (it is immoral to steal) or the projected self-image, but out of a commitment towards ‘others’.
How to add value to one’s life? Here are few reminders:
- Seek happiness accepting reality without expectations.
- I need not cover up fear by expressing anger towards others, thus have mastery in life.
- Have top priorities in life, that are special and important to you.
- I need to be creative instead of being arrogant.
- It is only through persistence and sincere love that abundant joy and happiness can be experienced.
- Right direction and decision are important.
- A decision can be irrational but that is the way my life is. It makes life a lot simpler.
- We are programmed by our upbringing, genetics, educations, mores and practices, habits and style, the desires of the people around us and the cognitive biases we imbibe.
- Often rational behaviour will not fit within the values lived by. Therefore, it’s useless to fight through rational arguments to get people to do what I would like them to do.
- Only the top priorities in life can provide most of the values in my life.
- One has to self-esteem and not outsource it.
- Bring the target closer by breaking it into parts and achieving it part by part in progression.
- We need to invest time, effort and energy to build good values through positive action and feeling.
- We live by values when we are happy after hitting a goal by surrendering to those values.
[1] Cf. Mikael Corre, Should my work be in line with my values?, La Croix, October 19, 2019, https://international.la-croix.com/news/should-my-work-be-in-line-with-my-values/11060?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=e-mail&utm_content=19-10-2019&utm_campaign=newsletter_crx_lci&PMID=e0bf16242f5244d5ecc2158ed0e 57693, 25.10.2019Top of Form
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