Oct
Desire and Value
How far would you go to attain something you desire? There is no cut-and-dry answer. Much depends on the specific object of desire. For instance, the lengths a person will go for a diamond ring will differ from attaining the love of a cherished individual. Everything has a different value. Likewise, every person values things differently.
For instance, I had a friend who prized academic achievement. He studied constantly and strived for honors, awards and high grades. He could not understand how I regarded scholastic achievements as negligible. At the time, I had one of the top ten scores in the state for the PSAT tests. To me, it was worthless. There was no way to sell or trade it for something worth having. My friend would have given a lot to get that high score. I hardly studied for the test, and thought it a complete waste of time.
How much would you give to get something you really want?
A more revealing side of the equation is what you would not do to get something. What would you NOT do in pursuit of your goals? The things you will do are the “upper limit”, and those you refuse to do are the “lower limit.” They define how low you will sink, so to speak. Would you draw the line at betraying a friend, selling out your principles or satisfying someone you find repulsive? Your lower limit says more about you than the upper limit. It is not just the lengths to which you will go, but the depths to which you will sink. If you sink too far, you sell out yourself. That is where you have to decide if your integrity and dignity are worth trading for one of your desires.
A good exercise is to take a piece of paper. On one half write the lengths to which you will go. On the other, write the things you will not do. Take fifteen minutes writing the list, then put it aside. Look at it the next day and compare your upper and lower limits. They will tell you plenty about your character. If you like what you see, all well and good. If not, you will have an idea of which part of your character needs improvement.
The other thing this exercise reveals is value. It shows when you value character and when you value attainment of a desire.
Try it! This exercise helps you better understand yourself and the things that motivate you.
