Main Text

Lesson 19 Values

It is important to determine which qualities one most admires, or one’s “areas of prestige,” because they explain how each person values the situations they live in, or what situation they strive to achieve within their system of values. For example, if what a person values most is “friendship,” and what they value least is “knowledge,” this person could make a “prestige scale” with the two mentioned values at either extreme, and other values placed in descending order in between.

Exercise 4 Make a scale of your values in concentric circles. In the smallest circle note your most important value or the quality you value most, that is, what you most admire in others and aspire to yourself. Proceed outward in descending order of importance until in the largest circle, you put the quality of least interest to you. For example, a person’s values might be arranged as follows:

007.png

The values or “areas of prestige” in the above example can be modified to fit your own situation. Whenever you are in doubt about the choice between two values, imagine which would cause you more trouble if it should fail, if you could not achieve it, or if you should lose it; this will be the most important one. We recommend that you repeat this exercise several times and change the order of values or add new ones until you get the sensation you have found the correct structure. When you conclude this exercise, compare it with Exercise 1, your Situation Analysis, and with Exercise 3, your study of Roles. At this point you will begin to see relationships between things that are apparently very different. These patterns will show cohesion and unity and explain much of your behavior and your present contradictions. Through these insights, you will gain a new perspective to reinforce your positive qualities. Discuss the relationships and connections you establish with the other participants and make notes.