“There is no exit from the circle of one’s beliefs.” Keith Lehrer
“Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.” Henry Hancock
What’s in your Box?
Beliefs and Values
Beliefs are what is true to you regardless of whether is it actually true.
Beliefs are things, not necessarily proven, but which you think are true.
Beliefs are the convictions and principles that guide you both consciously and unconsciously.
Beliefs are the basis from which your actions flow.
Beliefs are often subjective and therefore can be destructive if they are in direct opposition with that which is actually true.
Beliefs provide your why and what.
Values are what you hold to be important, to live out and to do; because of what you believe.
Values are the rules you will live by; the principles you will up hold.
Values are your personal code of ethics.
Values are how you live in accordance with what you believe.
At times the values we live out, are not in agreement with what we say we believe.
Values provide your how and where.
Examples-
Belief- It’s important to be presentable to others.
Values- Shower daily, brush my teeth regularly, where deodorant, where clean and ironed clothes.
Belief- Maintaining my physical health is important.
Values- Exercise daily and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Belief- It’s important to have financial security.
Values- Spend less than I earn, have no debt, save and invest my money.
Belief- People have value regardless of their past, their personality or their performance.
Values- Treat everyone with love and kindness regardless of how they treat me.
The following is the American Soldiers Creed that provides an example of beliefs and values. It begins and ends with the Soldiers core BELIEFS and in the middle are the VALUES the soldier is committed to living out because of what they believe.
The Soldiers Creed
BELIEF-
I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.
VALUES-
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough,
trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.
I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the
United States of America in close combat.
BELIEF-
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
90. What are your core Beliefs about each of the following areas of your life?
Physical-
Financial-
Vocational-
Mental/Emotional-
Relational-
Spiritual-
Purposeful-
91. What are the core Values that will live out to uphold your core Beliefs in each area?
Physical-
Financial-
Vocational-
Mental/Emotional-
Relational-
Spiritual-
Purposeful-
“Beliefs constitute the basic stratum, that which lies deepest, in the architecture of our life. By them we live, and by the same token we rarely think of them….” José Ortega Y Gasset