When values collide

In all my years, one inescapable truth continues to be presented;  we are all not going to agree.  The values that each individual holds will always be different than all the others.  We see it here on this blockchain and in every other relationship we have.  

The war that rages in this world and within our hearts is due to the collision of values.

But what do I do when your values collide with mine?  Most people declare war and fight those that hold a different value than their own.  They will seek out others that hold similar values in specific areas so that they can find the support and band together.  They build armies of like minded individuals so that they can fight side by side.  This has been the most popular method for thousands upon thousands of years.  

The alternatives are less common.

If I declare peace, my job is to acknowledge and accept that the values of others are different than mine and not to engage in the use of force, violence or coercion to convince them otherwise.  To impose my values on others through the use of force, violence or coercion is immoral and unethical.  But what if the values of others results in the desecration of that which I value as being sacred or holy?  Am I justified in declaring war against them to protect that which is sacred?  Most would argue yes, but I question that line of thinking.  The use of force would violate the foundational principles of what being sacred is all about.  

The problem rests in seeing ALL life, ALL people and ALL beings as sacred.  To engage in violence against anybody would violate the very sanctity of who they are.  

So what am I to do?

Just because I cannot engage in violence, force or coercion against others does not mean that I cannot influence their values.  I can do that through leadership by example, standing as a witness and testifying to the actions and behaviours that violate the foundational principles that I believe we all should live by and forgive them.  My intent is to reach the spiritual being in command of the vessel and help him / her find the courage to rise up and heal so that they too can walk the path of love, compassion, freedom, prosperity and joy.  The choice always rests with the spirit in command, not the vessel itself.  The problem we all face is something that we have zero control over in others but are 100% responsible and accountable for within ourselves;  free will.  The double edge sword that we all carry.

So while we all argue and fight over issues that are all based on the values we carry with us, the most noble exercise is to look at those values and constructively evaluate whether they serve us and others here in the physical realm but also in the spiritual realm.  

For me, my values continue to mature and change as I gain more experience and work hard to evaluate why I do what I do.  I work hard to confront my own values and beliefs.  How many of us have the courage to do that kind of work?  How many of us hold onto the values that are taught to us as children and never really revisit or evaluate them when we get older?  How many of us view our values as sacred and are willing to go to war as a result?  How many are willing to give peace a chance instead?  How many will find the courage to stand up for what they think is right and confront the wrongs they witness in their lives?  How many are willing to live?

Collision indeed!