What are the most important things in your life? These are mine.

    When one speaks of values, many people think of  ‘bargains, what’s cheap, getting a deal”.  Perhaps that’s a difference of opinion.  Values, to me, are the ideas, the morals, that created the person we’ve become.  They are worthy, lofty even, and priceless because they are irreplaceable.  Without them, we flounder.
     We each have a portion of love, charity, patience, strength, and forebearance that varies according to the occasions.
     Family is often said to be ‘highly valued’ yet members of our family are often the ones we pay the least attention to, fail to compliment, forget to embrace.  These sames folks, however, are often the first with whom we seek solace when we hurt, are embarrassed or otherwise at ‘odds with the world’.  Sometimes we are shocked to find that our indifference has left them cold to our needs, that the love that once flamed has flicked and, unfueled, died.
     God often comes after sports on Sundays or whenever it’s most convenient.  If He were to show us the same treatment, where would we be?     
I value life, God, country, my family, friends, the ability to think/reason/create.  I believe in reaping what one sows so my fields are sown with laughter that others might see the joy of life.
     I value the air around me and, though I require warmth, try my best not to pollute it so that my grandchildren will also have clean air.
     Life abounds around me--plants, animals, insects, etc.  Some of them have a purpose that is beyond me yet I cherish them, do them no harm.  God doesn’t owe me an explanation for their existance--all life is precious in His sight.  So be it in mine!
    My body is a precious gift that I cherish and nurture.  Too often people abuse themselves then expect doctors and God to repair the damage.  If you gave your child a toy that he purposefully destroyed, would you replace it?  How long does it take to teach us what we can and can’t do to ourselves?  Like children, we’re hard-headed and often don’t listen.
     One person can change the world but only if he leads by example.  Everyone has the ability to succeed, few do.  Most folks play ‘follow the leader’ regardless of where that person may lead them.  We each have a brain, use it!
     It may be said that I’m old-fashioned, not ‘hip to the times’.  Can you imagine how often that has been said?  Every generation seems to regard the previous one as inept :)!  To thine own self be true often leaves one ‘out of sorts’ with popular people, but popularity is not something I need.
     Money is another of those grievous things that misleads us.  It’s nice to have but consider the costs.  If you sell your soul to gain the world, are you richer or poorer?
     I am what I am.  I’m pleased with myself, find each breath a treasure, and find joy in each peal of laughter.  A simple, peaceful world where a harsh word is unwarranted is where I chose to dwell. 
     My life will earn no monuments, no cloaks of fur or fancy cars--that isn’t me!  I prefer furs on the animals, monuments for the monumental and a durable means of transportation.  Those who precede me are my treasures, my values within them.
     Dad used to say:  “step softly and do no harm”.  May my life prints be as light as the new fallen snow and leave the earth no worse for the wear.