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In over two million years of human existence, only a handful stand out from the
mass of mankind solely because of the values (the term `values' is used in the positive
sense, for values can be negative also) they stood for. Swami Vivekananda, for instance,
stood for fearlessness, humanity and service, to name a
few; Mahatma Gandhi was propelled by the twin values of truth and non-violence; Mother Teresa charted her life on
the values of love and service; Abraham Lincoln's life revolved around commitment
to excellence, integrity, responsibility, fairness, respect and
diversity.
The lives of all great men showcase that they have not just stood on the
shoulders of giants, but on the timeless, ageless pillars of personal values, and that these
values galvanized their thoughts and actions and drove them to excel in their fields of work.
Most people, who lead a life of conscience, live by the principles they value
and do not wear them on their sleeves. Fortunately for us, values, like actions, speak
louder than words and so they are readily noticed. Recently, a friend of mine lost his
mobile while traveling from home to work. He discovered the loss on reaching the office.
He re-traced the route to the office looking for his
mobile. About an hour later, I got a call from his `lost' mobile and the speaker introduced himself and said that he
found the mobile by the roadside and had called up a few numbers to notify them. Later
that day, my friend and I visited the good samaritan and took the phone. I asked him
why he chose to return when he could have sold or used it. His answer was simple.
``I believe in being honest'' and he added humbly, ``my parents have always
upheld the principle of honesty.'' |
