Frank Acevedo
Dr. Stripling
Introduction to writing Eng 104
June 29, 2010

Personal Values

I often feel that our society is desperately struggling to validate personal values in an individual`s up bringing. To me, there are many personal values I could talk about on this essay. The three most important values are the love of God, Family, and work ethics to be fully successful in life. First, and foremost God the creator is, has been, and will always be the beginning and the end; the
Alpha and Omega. When I refer to having God present in our lives, it comes to my mind the first commandment written in the bible; this is to love our Lord our God above all things, which brings me to mention Faith. I would describe Faith, as the core value to begin with. There are many passages in the bible that explain how to have Faith, and how to apply it at times of need. For example, Job also known as a man full of faith not only had He faith in God, but He trusted and believed God was on his side after being attacked by the devil who took all Job`s possessions hindering him to deny God. Instead, Job`s faith, trust, and belief drove him to obtain wisdom and to stand for what He believed was one of his most precious asset, The love of God. Second, family values such as friendship, obedience, and respect lead an individual on to a much higher ground. I was always told when I was little that I must love God, then mom and dad, then the rest of the world. I thought I was being chastised with this type of thinking because I was under the impression God could be placed in any order. He didn`t have to be the First one since He was already the First one in every position I could possibly imagine. Listening to my elders and respecting them was almost as if my grandpa`s chair had eyes of its own looking at me and nodding with a head of its own telling me what I should, or shouldn`t do. “If you treat others with respect, they will always treat you back with respect” “don`t do anything bad, so no bad will do anything to you,” were my mom`s words every time I was in trouble.

I remember back in elementary school I hit Charles. He was one of my buddies I usually remember with a great smile. It was a hot Saturday morning at Summer time at my house when both of us were having the best time of our lives. Waking up late and playing all day until we run out of strength. We were playing “hangman,” but to be honest Charles was very good at it He never lost against me. I became very upset hitting him on his knee with my right foot. Little did I know my mother was looking at both of us when She suddenly ran to me, and grabbed me by the ear so I could listen better reminding me about respect, and friendship were values I must had to gain; these values were not given to me; I must earn them.
Now that I think back I can gladly hear my parent’s voice down my ear channel reminding me those personal values I can write today about. Besides, they were so effective that they directed my path with little examples, so I could be a better listener, and a better individual to obtain good grades in school and later down the road. After getting older, I followed their advice which helped me to develop ethical working skills.
Education was one of the items I used to be reminded everyday at breakfast, and dinner time. “We are not rich,” but if you want to be rich, study. Studying was the key to success my mom used to say to reflect pride because She did not have the opportunity to finish school since She was pregnant at an early age.
Therefore, I rank education such a high value that I can not compare with riches, or gold. Any material asset can be taken away from an individual, but the level of education this person reaches could never be taken away from him. Thus, looking for treasures in this society could be a long road, but the search of personal values based upon the fear of the Lord must be as rewarding as impacting our neighbors with great love, friendship, and good ethical principles.