My Personal Values in Life

Introduction

Values are deeply held beliefs and principles that govern our attitudes and actions. They shape our behavior, decisions, and responses to different situations. As a college student, I have come to recognize the importance of values in shaping my personal and academic life. In this essay, I will discuss my three core values, their significance, and how they contribute to my growth and happiness.

Body Paragraph 1: Personal Value 1

One of my core values is respect. I define respect as treating others with dignity, kindness, and consideration, regardless of their background or beliefs. I learned the importance of respect from my parents, who instilled this value in me from a young age. In college, I have practiced respect by listening attentively to others, offering help and support when needed, and refraining from judgment or prejudice. For example, during group projects, I make an effort to hear everyone’s ideas and opinions, even if they differ from mine. Respect has helped me foster meaningful friendships with people from diverse backgrounds, and it has taught me the value of empathy and tolerance.

Body Paragraph 2: Personal Value 2

My second value is integrity. Integrity for me means being honest, transparent, and accountable in all my actions and decisions. I believe that integrity builds trust and credibility, and it fosters healthy relationships both in personal and professional settings. I practice integrity by fulfilling my commitments, owning up to my mistakes, and choosing the ethical and moral path, even if it is not the easiest. For instance, when I was working on a term paper, I struggled with citing the sources correctly. Instead of copying and pasting, I spent hours learning how to do it properly, to avoid plagiarism. Integrity has taught me the importance of responsibility and self-discipline, and it has helped me build a strong sense of self-worth and confidence.

Body Paragraph 3: Personal Value 3

The third value that I cherish is perseverance. Perseverance encompasses qualities such as determination, resilience, and grit, and it is essential in achieving any goal or overcoming any obstacle. I learned the value of perseverance from a difficult experience I had when I was younger. At the time, I came down with an illness that left me physically weak and unable to participate in my everyday activities. I felt discouraged and hopeless, but with time and effort, I regained my strength and confidence. Since then, I have applied perseverance by setting ambitious academic and personal goals, and working diligently towards achieving them, despite setbacks or failures. Perseverance has taught me the value of patience and self-belief, and it has enabled me to take on challenges with a positive attitude and a growth mindset.

Counterargument

One possible counterargument to the significance of values is that they are subjective and relative. Some may argue that values vary across cultures, generations, and individuals, and that there is no objective way to determine which values are more important than others. While it is true that values are shaped by personal experiences, upbringing, and societal norms, I believe that there are certain universal values that are fundamental to human flourishing, such as respect, honesty, and perseverance. Moreover, I argue that values are the building blocks of a fulfilling and meaningful life, and that everyone should strive to identify and live by their personal values.

Conclusion

In conclusion, personal values play a crucial role in shaping our attitudes, behaviors, and decisions. In this essay, I discussed my three core values, respect, integrity, and perseverance, and how they have contributed to my personal growth and happiness. While these values are not exhaustive, they reflect my ongoing process of self-reflection and growth, and I believe that they will continue to guide me in college and beyond. I hope that this essay has inspired others to reflect on their own values and to live their lives with purpose, integrity, and compassion.

References

1. Adler, M. J. (2000). The four dimensions of philosophy: Metaphysical, moral, objective, categorical. Routledge.
2. Miller, W. R., & Thoresen, C. E. (2003). Spirituality, religion, and health: An emerging research field. American Psychologist, 58(1), 24-35.
3. Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. Oxford University Press.