Your Values Might Not Be What You Think They Are

I believe our true values will be revealed by time–spare time.

If asked to name our core values, most of us could readily come up with a list of noble things.

• Family
• Patriotism
• Loyalty
• Honesty
• Hard work
• Service

But I had to re-think what my personal values REALLY were after I read this quote in the book Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty:

“No matter what you think your values are, your actions tell the real story. What we do with our spare time shows what we value.”

What we do with our spare time shows what we value.

jay shetty

Wow. That was almost like a slap in the face to me. I started thinking about what I did in my spare time. Here’s a partial list:

• Read self-help and personal development books.
• Watch medical dramas on network apps on my phone.
• Watch Asian dramas on Netflix.
• Watch Asian medical dramas on Netflix :).
• Check my email.
• Check Facebook.
• Check the news.

Researchers estimate that on average, we’ll spend more than eleven years of our lives watching t.v. and looking at social media!

My list of spare-time activities would indicate that I am well on my way to wasting those eleven years of my life.

But beyond wasting time, what do my activities say about what I TRULY value?

I say I value my family, but am I spending time with them?

I say I value my religion, but how much of my spare time do I use increasing my faith and spirituality?

I say I value service, but am I giving any to others?

What I really see from my list of spare-time activities is that I am wholly focused on myself. Improving myself, yes–but also entertaining myself, and stimulating my brain by looking for “new things.” (Each email and each new Facebook post and news story provides a hit of dopamine).

If I were really living what I say I value, I’d be spending time with my family, giving service to others, improving my brain through continual learning, and reaching out to friends and people in my church congregation.

What do you do in your spare time? Tell me in the comments, and then tell me what your activities say about what you truly value. It’s time to discover the truth about ourselves!

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