Each culture has its own set of values. Some focus more on endurance or courage or resilience or optimism. You surely have an idea as to which values are the central ones to your culture.
But are you truly connected to them? Embracing your cultural values can offer a lot of benefits to your life. Let’s take a look at all the reasons why.
1. They provide strength
You will have a special connection to your cultural values, because they are sure to permeate every aspect of the world around you. They show up in the art and media you see, in the values other people have, in how your family and community teach you. These values can offer a source of strength.
We all go through difficult times, and when we do, finding these values can be a good strategy. We already know them and we can draw from them an unexpected amount of power to weather whatever situation we are facing now.
2. They offer a spiritual connection
You don’t have to be religious to enjoy spirituality, as it involves developing your own idea of the world, a sense of your place in this world, and a connection to things that feel bigger than yourself. Cultural values can often be a way of developing a spiritual practice.
You might feel more tuned in when you are putting these values in practice. They could also help you find meaning in a difficult situation. If you belong to a culture that values endurance, getting through tough times can feel more meaningful, as it is aligned with something powerful and important.
3. They have been tested through generations
Why should you go with cultural values? They have generations behind them. People have tested them and employed them in different ways for many years, and even for many centuries. You don’t have to choose these values, but there is a greater chance they will work for you because they worked for your ancestors.
Cultural values have not endured just because. They hold this place because they have proven their worth and usefulness for generations of people. They can be a great bet for you to get you through difficult times.
4. They give you a connection with your family and roots
One particular positive aspect of cultural values is that they offer a sense of connection to your roots. You are following the same ideas as your ancestors, your family members, the people who came here before.
Even if you have trouble with your family or feel uprooted, cultural values can help you construct a more positive view or idea of where you come from. It can offer a sense of being part of something bigger and more significant, of gaining a feeling of being part of a community through a shared experience and set of ideals.
5. They connect you to other people
Cultural values are not just a thing of the past either. They are often significant for the people around you too, and by practicing these values, you can understand what those around you cherish and what they do to find strength.
Practicing the same values can allow you to feel closer to those in your community and better understand the choices they make. It can help you bridge a sense of isolation and come closer to the people around you.
6. They offer a guide when you don’t know what to do
Sometimes, it feels difficult to find yourself in a world that is so conflicting and full of contradictory information. Cultural values have a seal of approval that allows you to trust them more than you would trust other things. They can become a calm port in a storm.
You don’t have to follow all the values your cultures cherishes and upholds. Some of them might not fit the way you are. But there are sure to be at least some values that resonate with you and that have a deep and rich history among your people.
Cultural values are a powerful source of strength and support, allowing you to find a new way to face difficult situations and overcome troubled times effectively.
