Much like identity is often not completely and purposely formed, neither are our values.  Most of us have been indoctrinated by generations of “this is how we do it, it’s how it has always been done.”  However, living that way has left me feeling lost, and purposeless.  I get caught up in the day to day grind, the endless days of cooking, cleaning, bedtimes, laundry and I realize that something is missing.  What is my purpose?  My family’s purpose?  How are we teaching our children that there are things in life that are more important than cooking, cleaning and laundry?  How are we teaching them to get the most out of life while also giving the most?  Are we truly living and teaching our values and how to live them? 

I found myself asking what are our values as a family?  Hell, what are values?  We throw the word around ALL the time.  We judge others and ourselves by our values, make big life-altering decisions, fight wars, choose life-mates, and die by our values.  But, what are they?  Where do they come from?  How are they transferred from generation to generation?  I know the big, easy answers to these questions, but not sure how it works in my life, with my family, on a daily basis. 

And, that is the challenge for us, and for each of you, should you choose to accept it:  to understand our own value systems, identify those specific values we want to hold onto and pass on to the next generation, and to purposely teach and live those values.