What Is Our Value?
In the United States there is a television program on the Public Broadcasting Station called “Antiques Road Show”. Antiques Road Show is a program which travels from city to city throughout the United States where local people can bring in their personal treasures, heirlooms and garage sale and auction buys to be evaluated by experts in antiques. The experts often can tell a person the history of the item they have brought in and ultimately they assign a dollar value to the item. Many people bring in items that have been passed down to them by family members or that they have purchased for a very low price and they are interested to see what the item is worth. Ultimately some of the people who bring there items in to be evaluated are very surprised by the value of what they were using as a candy dish or a painting that was hidden away in the attic, a door stop or what they saw as an ugly heirloom. One lady recently found out that the jade items she had inherited from her father were worth a million dollars.
Wouldn’t it be interesting if there were a similar venue for understanding what we as people are worth? If you asked most people what they are worth they would immediately start adding up what they own and how much money they have in the bank. When we talk about the worth of Bill Gates or Oprah Winfery this is what we do, we look at their monetary worth, so therefore it is a pretty natural leap that people when asked what they are worth would jump to looking at there monetary ledger sheet and assigning a monetary value to answer what they are worth.
Even if you were to influence a person’s answer and say that you don’t mean what they are worth from a monetary standpoint most people will then start adding up what they have contributed to the world and to the people around them. Many people might begin to add up their personal achievements, positions they have obtained in their career, levels of education they have achieved, who they know, etc to evaluate their value, their worth.
Basing ones worth on money, possessions and achievements still does not answer the real question of what one’s value is does it? To base ones value on any of these things is to create a separateness between people, it gives the illusion that one person is in some way better or less than another person.
Our inherent value/worth is not what we own, what we have achieved or even what we do, are value/worth is who we are. Who we all are is the same, we are energy which originates from source and therefore our inherent value/worth is immeasurable, we are in essence PRICELESS!
The sad part is that so many of us don’t have an understanding or appreciation of the fact that we are more valuable than anything we can ever earn, purchase or achieve and that which is external has nothing to do with that which we truly are.
The Master once told the story of a priceless antique bowl that fetched a fortune at a public auction. It had been used by a tramp who ended his days in poverty, quite unaware of the value of the bowl with which he begged for pennies.
When a disciple asked the Master what the bowl stood for, the Master said, “Your self!”
Asked to elaborate, he said, “All your attention is focused on the penny knowledge you collect from books and teachers. You would do better to pay attention to the bowl in which you hold it.”
- Anthony de Mello
May we all come to understand the value of that which we are!
Hi Mark-
I agree. Have you read “The God Memorandum”. This amazing writing speaks to exactly what you are writing about. You can access the God Memorandum easily by typing the name in ’search’.
I might add though that we enhance and honor the miracle of our creation by making choices that serve well the humanities and love for our world and every living thing in it.
Love to you
Gail
peace…….
Very good points made. I dislike the Antiques Road Show for the same reasons, another example of the materialist culture where the highest metric of value is money.
Here’s a guy who has strong opinions on money and walks the talk by living without it: http://sites.google.com/site/livingwithoutmoney/
Timeless topic. Intrinsic self-worth never changes. Only self-perception does when a soul is ready.
I love this – simple and straight to the point
As a parent I always believed our value lie in the memories we create. When people fail to remember. what is the worth of our existence.\? The time has passed so quickly since my fathers death. There are no new memories to make and so I review those moments which brought me the most amount of joy. I loved when he sang and as I was a sickly child I remember him as he held me and made a soothing sound which lulled me to sleep. He use to put his pocket watch under my pillow and to this day, to sleep well, I need the sounds of a fan or a train to sleep peacefully. His love of reading, music and nature have left me with many fond memories and instilled in me many gifts. I file the memories according to be called upon when needed.
In many ways we are accumulative like radiation from an x-ray. I believe our worth is in what we give away, to be seen in tomorrows smiles. My youngest sister she said “your children have that same sparkle in their eyes that you do.” I think that is the passion for life which is seen through the eyes. Cliche ” the eyes are the window to the soul”
I love your question, “Wouldn’t it be interesting if there were a similar venue for understanding what we as people are worth?” Yes, it certainly would be interesting. And uplifting.
Some of those on Antiques Roadshow when learning that their possession has great monetary value decide to hold onto the item because of the memories associated with it, because it is part of their family history just by being around or because it has sentimental value. Many people “get it.”
Happy Friday~
K.
I love this. I recently felt as if I had to quantify different things in my life. It was a difficult exercise as a life, my life, that of my daughter… the life is so much about experiences and what lies within. The person that we are can’t be quantified.
Unfortunately we are asked to quantify things quite frequently – Child support and such ask us to do this… how much is a child worth? I am not quite sure why society focuses on money over other, more soulful characteristics?
Peple are priceless; time spent with someone or withourselves… there isn’t a quantifiable value one can put on these things.
All great points here. Thank you! The story at the end is a great tie-in!
Hello Mark,
Wonderful analogy! Our society is being taught this lesson on a mass level with the changing economic times. Self love, love of our fellow humans, creatures and this earth are the value system that never changes.
Great post!
Helping people and teaching makes me feel wealthy beyond any riches. I feel invaluable when I’m helping people.
Thanks for stopping by. I always enjoy hearing from you.
Thanks for another great post!
It is, of course a struggle not to “be” something, after all. it is what we are taught at a very young age.
But to be someone, by being what we are, ah, this is the very secret of life.
Great post, Mark. And, sadly, so many do equate their value only with monetary and material possessions.
Yes, I’ve seen that show too. Quite remarkable when someone strikes it big. Fun to watch.
I’m not sure I can add anything of value to this incredible post, or the great comments already left (loved Whitemist’s, by the way)… This theme has been nipping at my heels lately. Thank you for shining a light on it.
I spent a lot of time these past few weeks questioning my own worth. It’s been an introspective exercise in rediscovery and I’m pleased with the outcome.
I find it pleasing that Whitemist and I seem to have come to the same conclusion. But not the least bit surprised.
Thank you for sharing another wonderful gem!
Interesting topic and idea -it will keep my mind working while paddling on the water (a good meditation time…) hmm, what am I worth? To whom, would have to be my next question.
When I was a child, there were times that I would drop a glass or whatnot and it would break…I shall never forget my mother’s response that the glass or whatnots could be replaced, but the spirit of a child is very fragil and should never be broken. I passed on the same sentiment with my own children, and some adults find this disturbing; as they feel children should be taught lessons. What is the lesson in punishing a child for an accident ???- a simple talk on being careful goes far further than screaming or whipping thus killing the child’s spirit or making the child feel worthless. The feeling of worthlessness often follows the child for the rest of his or her life. Many adults place far too much value on material things, as they were taught this as children. We have the power and responsibility now to teach our young that human beings are priceless – not the material things they possess. Anyone who has ever had loved ones and/or themselves survive a fire realize how valuable life is – the stuff burned in the fire hold no value compared to the lives that survive the fire. Peace, Light and Love, C.
Beautiful Mark! the vessel that holds the stuff is indeed much much more sacred and potential.
Great post, we are indeed all priceless. That said, there’s nothing wrong with money. It’s a manifestation of the abundance that is ours by divine right. When ego gets attached to that money, that’s when problems begin.
I’m smiling here! GREAT post.
Love that last quote! Nice post.
I’m still straddling the fence. I’m on my way to the other side, but I’m most certainly on the fence.
Great insight. I love the de Mello quotation. His wisdom is ageless.
Basing ones worth on money, possessions and achievements still does not answer the real question of what one’s value is does it? To base ones value on any of these things is to create a separateness between people, it gives the illusion that one person is in some way better or less than another person.
This is the root of all problems in the illusionary world in my opinion. This was a great post and who hasn’t seen that show? What a great reminder that we are “priceless.”