Values that can transform this world

By Aanchal Cheema

Our values determine how we think and act, and they shape the society we live in.

Honesty, this seven alphabet word has the power to change so many things, probably we can’t even imagine. Be it the injustice served or the lies spoken, honesty is what changes everything. The day we start being honest with ourselves and the people around us, is when we start seeing unexpected changes that we always wanted to see. Even a child is taught to be an honest human being above everything. No matter how big a mistake we may have committed, or how brutal a lie we have told, it’s imperative that we put honesty above everything, and the end result will be for the betterment of our own self and the people around us.

The second value to imbibe is respect. It’s rightly said that what you give is what you get. There are numerous examples of how people treat each other with respect, be it the armed forces, the hospitals, or the young children respecting their elders. Respecting each and every individual around us is our duty, which we should never fail to fulfill. Be it a garbage picker, a street vendor, a car washer, or any other profession that might not seem very appealing to us, has to be given as much respect as any other profession. Respect should not be limited to human beings. The food we eat, the roof over our heads, access to clean drinking water, an education, and our mother earth, are all gifts to be thankful and appreciative of.

Talking about respect, how can we not talk about kindness, one of the rarest yet most beautiful gifts we can give to someone. And the COVID-19 pandemic has further taught us about how important it is to be kind to one another. When a person is in stress or in a bad situation, a small act of kindness can change their whole perspective. Kindness towards our surroundings, our Mother Earth, is what we all should practice. We all can come together, holding hands, and celebrate this world as one whole united nation.

The last value that we should inculcate is to be courageous.  It’s very important to be courageous in this world. Everyone has a voice, but not everyone is heard. And it’s our duty and responsibility to be the voice of the voiceless, to have the courage to speak against what’s wrong, and to not be afraid to do what’s right and bring a positive change in society. All these four values combined together can transform this world.

We can live our life in line with these values by not only keeping them very close to our hearts but also implementing them in whatever we do. We must try to teach and imbibe them in as many people around us. The society that we’ll create with these qualities will be honest with each other, respect each other, be kind to one another and be courageous enough to speak against the wrong.