Creating Value
What is value?
Value is the act of giving another, something that is useful for them that they then don’t have to go out and get themselves. That something can be a gift/object, or a deed/action, or even just a kind word. Anything that they value for themselves, is something of value.
What’s the main problem with value?
People are selfish. Except that’s a catch 22 right there.
How does anything get done if everyone is selfish and out for themselves?
Because humans create value. It’s their natural expression. Look at a child and they will do lots to give as much value to people around them as they can, without expecting anything in return.
Later, you have the rise of cynicism. You give value, and you lose something. Or you expect value in return and get nothing. An expectation is dashed and the expression of giving value is lessened. This leads to people pulling back and not giving everyone around them everything they have. The seed of nongiving has been planted, and it is watered and fed by unkind deeds and lack of value. This nonvalue spreads like a virus, as people don’t give value to others, also do others refuse to give value in return, and the problem grows. It’s affecting us as a society, because together we can’t give value. Societies can’t give value to it’s people or other societies.
As for personal value, due to personal selfishness people value those who give them value. As people are naturally inclined to give value, even those who are selfish, if you are someone who allows yourself to give value freely, you will be valued by other people. Friends value you because your friendship with them gives them something they can’t get otherwise. You are friends with them for the same reason. Friendships, in fact all relationships, breakdown when one person stops giving value into the friendship. As much as people would always like to blame the other person, it’s always when there’s no value being input from one side. People don’t feel valued if they don’t receive value and stop giving their own value. Simply: Value begets value, nonvalue begets nonvalue. In a situation like this, check to see if you are the one which has stopped giving value, and if so, give it. If you aren’t, give some value anyways. If after you have given value for a time nothing changes, you’ve done your best and it’s time to move on.
It takes a lot of courage to give value and expect nothing in return. It can feel sickening, like you are giving away a part of yourself, but in the long run it’s the only thing that’s going to get this world back to a state of peace. If we can give value to our enemies we can give value to anyone, and that value will flow into the future, into the lives of the children, and eventually into the life of the world. It’s not going to be an easy task by far, and it’s going to take a long road of years, but it’s really the only path.
So, how could you give value to others today?