Editor’s note: This is the first in a new series of columns where Islanders discuss the values that guide their lives and inform their actions.

By JOHN THOMPSON

For The Beachcomber

What does it mean to live a values-based life? When The Beachcomber asked me to address this question as a way to debut the paper’s new column on values, I realized I love this question because of the way it prompted me to think more deeply about something many of us — myself included — take for granted. I look forward to reading how others respond in future weeks.

After contemplating this issue, I realized that we all live “values-based lives.” The real issue is for each of us to be clear about which values are really directing our lives. Most of us probably presume we know the answer, and maybe everyone else does, but I find it interesting and sometimes disturbing to ask myself, “What values are reflected in how I am spending my time, how I am spending my resources and how I am relating to others?”

The answers do not always match what I so freely spout as my values. Sometimes this exercise is painful, yet it does give me the opportunity to make changes so that once again I can live according to what I hold as my highest values.

It is easy to remain unconscious of what is motivating and directing our behaviors and attitudes. We can easily be so busy living our lives that we lose track of all that directs our life. And I think that is really a tragedy. We are bombarded with suggestions and enticements as to how we should live and what we should value. Some may even think it is a waste of time to ponder the question in the first place. I am not one of those people. I know how easy it is for me to spin out of control, to see my life reflected in the vision of a hamster going around and around in circles until out of sheer exhaustion or illness I drop.

As I said, I believe we all live our lives based on some value or values. If my highest value is success or achievement, this will drive all that I do. If my highest value is to be recognized by others or loved by others, my life will reflect this. If I believe life has no value, that too will direct my life and the choices I make.

I can’t help wondering what life on Vashon would be like if we all held life, our own and each others’, as our highest value — if somehow we could direct our lives based on valuing life wherever and whenever we encountered it. What would life on this planet be like if all other values were secondary to our valuing of life? I am not just talking about our own individual life, but all life, and not just human life.

If life were our highest value, it would affect our opinions on all the issues of the day, including abortion, the death penalty, war, eating habits, etc. We all would not arrive at the same opinions on these issues, but with life as our primary value we might hold each other more dearly, although we hold different views.

Maybe if life were humanity’s primary value, we would settle differences between ourselves in ways other than the ones we currently use.

Maybe if life were humanity’s primary value, we would spend more time listening and attempting to understand each other instead of trying to convince or control each other.

Maybe if life were humanity’s primary value, we would look at Earth’s resources and their use in ways other than the way we have historically.

Maybe if all my behaviors were directed and guided by the desire to enhance life, my attitudes toward others would be more accepting and I wouldn’t have to spend so much energy deciding who is right, whom I should care for and who is worthy.

What if life were so valued by all of us on this Island that understanding each other was more important then being right? What if respect for each other was not a “should” but a desire? What if all our differences were celebrated and seen as having value?

I know this is somewhat vague, and that is intentional, since I believe humanity has spent too much time telling others how they should live their lives. I just strongly believe that if we all held all life, yours and mine, as precious, then our differences would be lessened.

Part of my brain reacts to what I have written and says, “Oh, that is so much ‘pie in the sky’ stuff. It sounds so idealistic.” (I do have a cynical side that won’t shut up at times.) The rest of my brain says our very survival depends on our making a conscious and committed effort to make life and the enhancement of life, all life, our primary value. I also know that I can’t make this happen.

All that I can do is suggest it to you and listen to your response. But even more importantly, I can recommit myself to doing all that I can to ensure that life and the enhancement of life is the value that holds the highest place in my own life.

— John Thompson is a retired Episcopal priest and served at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Sprit for many years.