This is a blog regarding some thoughts on Values and Beliefs. We all hold them but sometimes have difficulty in differentiating what our values are and what are beliefs are. I feel that are beliefs can sometimes be unhelpful and lead us into making inappropriate decisions.
So what are our values? Values are those things that make us what we are. We may value integrity in ourselves and others, kindness from ourselves and from others, dependability on our capabilities and those of others. So what are mine? What are yours?
Beliefs are those things that we hold to be true. They can come from a variety of sources: from what we have been taught, from what we have experienced, from what we regard as being ‘normal’ or ‘the way things are’. As such, our beliefs shift with time and with our experiences.
Our beliefs lead to our values.
A belief develops into a value as we become more committed to it and we see it as being important. It is possible to categorise beliefs into different types. Categories of values include those that relate to happiness, wealth, career success or family.
In the first part of the 20th Century, Maslow (1908 – 1970), an American Psychologist, created what has become known as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This hierarchy, at its base, identifies some basic needs. Above this are psychological needs and ultimately leading to self fulfilment or actualisation needs.
Basic needs include, for example: food, water, warmth and rest which lead into the need for security and safety. Basically these basic needs enable us to survive. We cannot survive without those things that nourish us and without keeping safe and avoid injury.
Our psychological needs include friendship and love, intimate relationships. They also, at a the next level, include our self esteem, the need for a sense of accomplishment and achievement.
At the top of the pyramid are those things that lead to our self actualisation, achieving our full potential, being what we are suited to be. I feel the main point here is that we strive to become that which we are most suited to be.