Honest and trustworthy: Someone who is trustworthy warrants trust and is dependable, reliable, and faithful. 1 An honest person does not lie, cheat, steal, or take unfair advantage, but is honorable, truthful, and trustworthy. 2 This person is characterized not by deception or fraud, but by truthfulness, sincerity, and genuineness.
Cooperation:
Cooperation is the act of working "together toward a common end of purpose."3 It is an association with others for mutual benefit.4 Brian Tracy commented, "No one lives long enough to learn everything they need to learn starting from scratch. To be successful, we absolutely, positively have to find people who have already paid the price to learn the things that we need to learn to achieve our goals."5 Truly the great feats and wonders of the world are a product of cooperative efforts. James P. Comer, 20th century U.S. psychiatrist and author, says, "Playing games with agreed upon rules helps children learn to live by rules, establish the delicate balance between competition and cooperation, between fair play and justice and exploitation and abuse of these for personal gain. It helps them learn to manage the warmth of winning and the hurt of losing; it helps them to believe that there will be another chance to win the next time."6
Conflict is "a prolonged battle; a struggle; clash." It is a controversy, disagreement, opposition, or collision. In psychology, it is the "opposition or simultaneous functioning of mutually exclusive impulses, desires, or tendencies." Conflict is synonymous to discord.1 One of the dictionary definitions of resolution is " the action or process of separating or reducing something into its constituent parts." In medicine, it is "the subsiding or termination of an abnormal condition, as of a fever or inflammation." It can also be "an explanation, as of a problem or puzzle; a solution."2 Good conflict resolution strategies help defuse stress by seeing the problem in a different light. Many stress busters work because they alter thinking processes.3 Looking at others such as Ghandi and Abraham Lincoln that have successfully handled conflict is also helpful.
Peacefulness
Peacefulness is being calm inside. Take time for daily reflection and gratitude. Solve conflicts so everyone wins. Be a peacemaker. Peace is giving up the love of power for the power of love. Peace in the world begins with peace in your heart.
There's a lot you can do to create a peaceful home - and teach your kids to handle conflict constructively:
"If the only tools you have are hammers, every problem begins to look like a nail." The words of psychologist Abraham Maslow apply to conflict. If the only tool a child has is fighting, that will be the child's first and only method of coping with conflict. Excerpt from the PTA Parenting Guide: Programs and Resources Copyright 1994 by the National PTA®.
Respect- We show respect by speaking and acting with courtesy. We treat others wit dignity and honor the rules of our family, school and nation. Respect yourself, and others will respect you.
Understanding is using your mind to think clearly, paying careful attention to see the meaning of things. An understanding mind gives you insight and wonderful ideas. An understanding heart gives you empathy and compassion for others. Understanding is the power to think and learn and also to care.
ConservationConservation involves our use of all natural resources air, water, minerals, land and all life forms, including people. Conservation is a state of harmony between men and the land. It is a philosophy of living that reflects a pattern of human behavior with respect to our life-sustaining environment. (Aldo Leopold)
Bond: To join (two or more individuals) in or as if in a nurturing relationship. To form a close personal relationship with, to create a uniting force or tie; a link: the familial. bond. Sincere family feelings are core heart feelings that bind us together. They are the basis for true family values. While we have differences, we remain "family" by virtue of our heart connection. Family provides necessary security and support, and acts as a buffer against external problems. A family made up of secure people generates a magnetic power that can get things done. They are the hope for real security in a stressful world.
Teamwork starts with acknowledging that everyone belongs together and is committed to each other. This is the family unit. Providing an opportunity for learning, trying things out, or accepting defeat is an important role of the family. As a family team, we can help each other get through tough times. Because we have family teamwork, they can balance one person's difficult time with other family member's strengths.
Good citizens show concern for the success and safety of others. Being a good citizen also includes using non-judgmental language that does not offend or demean. Good citizens do the right thing, especially when it is difficult and when no one is looking. Good citizens take responsibility for their own actions and reflect on how their actions affect the welfare of others.
Choice "implies the freedom to choose from a set of persons or things." It is an option; "the power, right or liberty of choosing."
17 A consequence is "that which logically or naturally follows from an action or condition; an effect; result."
18 "Accountable emphasizes liability for something of value either contractually or because of one's position of responsibility."
19 People who are accountable think about long term consequences before they act. They accept responsibility for the consequences of their choices and their associations. They fulfill their consequential duties, not because of payment, force, or fear of repercussion, but because they are living a value that gives higher meaning and purpose to life.
They do not make excuses, blame others for their mistakes, act like a victim, or take credit for another's success. Gary Ryan Blair said, "Every choice carries a consequence. For better or worse, each choice is the unavoidable consequence of its predecessor. There are not exceptions. If you can accept that a bad choice carries the seed of its own punishment, why not accept the fact that a good choice yields desirable fruit?" Life is a sum of choices. Good character is a victory, not a gift.
Consideration
Consideration is being thoughtful of other people and their feelings. You consider how your action affects them. You pay careful attention to what others like and don't like, and do things that give them happiness.
Character and Values References*
