I sat down to write a list of my core values and how they relate to America, and it turned out to be a rather long list. But I suppose that's a good thing. I would bet that a lot of you identify with most of these values, even if we do not always live up to them. That would be encouraging.
Service - Acting in a conscious way that benefits another life in a way that is both necessary and good, often without an expectation of reward or just compensation. I have served thousands of people over decades in restaurants, sports fields, church, and in international disaster response.
Humility - Simply put, to realize that there is a power above you and that one's life is not superior to another's. If it doesn't drive you to bitterness, service to others teaches you the value in placing others' needs above your own. World travel has shown me how very small we are in the world and how very blessed we are to live in America.
Truth - The seeking of truth has always been a virtue, however from the time of the serpent in Eden, subjectivity has tempted the human mind to accept "alternate truths" that often allow for immorality and ignorance. If there is no objective truth, then we have chaos, and we will falter as an American community. In my writings and discoveries around the world, truth has always been at the center. We have unfortunately become too used to politicians' flagrant disregard for truth while it allows self-preservation. The lies of the powerful have put our very existence at risk, and we must now insist on truth, as the level of machinations and deception now borders on treason.
Authenticity - We all have things that we keep private, but it is imperative to live life boldly without relying on a facade; that way people know who you really are. While I do enjoy surprising those who know me, I always hope they are more impressed than considering I am acting out of character.
Community - People are social beings, and we associate around a sense of place, and we create opportunities for joy, growth, and even survival. I don't believe in so-called communities based on skin color or sexuality without regard to place, because I believe it is demeaning to assume these things are what ought to bind us together - or keep us apart! Community relies on acceptance and diligence despite our differences.
Fairness - One of the earliest values most of us Americans learn is to follow the rules and not cheat, because that destroys our very core principle of equality. America needs to revisit this and insist that all people of all income levels, social status, connectedness, or historical oppression play by the same set of rules if we are to survive as a diverse people. As a leader, coach, and human being, I have always strived to expect from, celebrate, and associate with people as children of God and equals in deserving respect.
Faith - Beyond hope, actively taking the step when you cannot see the staircase - often associated with God and religion, because what is not concrete is usually difficult to grasp for our mortal brains without belief in a higher power. It is too easy not to believe in anything these days, but that is what destroys morality, family, responsibility, and the very idea of a covenant. Our republic and democracy will neither thrive nor survive if we eschew the existence of the Creator from whom we are imbued with our fundamental rights.
Kindness - To act in good nature toward one another for no other reason than to recognize their humanity and intrinsic beauty and worth is the essence of civilization and what makes life worth living.
Optimism - America was born of and thrives upon the idea that there are brighter days ahead of: tyranny, hardship, slavery, racism, injustice, imperialism, terrorism, and more. America has no choice but to be optimists, and the rest of the world depends on it. We must believe in American Exceptionalism, work for it, and refuse to be defeated.
Peace - Hardly simply the absence of conflict, but tranquility, benevolence, and solace in some lasting measure is an active good that must be sought, sacrificed for, and even fought for. Through our strength, persistence, deterrence and achievement, America has been an incredible force for peace, and we must not shy away from that responsibility. I have often found that fairness, challenge, example, creativity, and even humor are ways to peace, though we must remember there are many opportunities when we seek them.
Responsibility - Even a bird floating freely in the wind must build a nest and bring back food for its young; so do we owe to one another and to our common purpose. Yes, we owe to others, but we do not owe everything and without reciprocation in a functioning society. Growing up, I decided that becoming a man is when you take responsibility for the care of another human; that could be in the military, as a father, a caregiver or a leader.
Ingenuity - To imagine and then create is one of the most human things possible. America has been a leader in creation, innovation and entrepreneurship because of freedom and the agreed upon notions of rugged individualism and human capital - that a free market can build, thrive, and even conquer. I have gone around the world observing, discovering, and testing, and I am proud to have left my mark on disaster response, recovery, and food aid.
Wisdom - Many people believe they have answers, many people believe they are smart or enlightened and are often reinforced by public opinion. However, wisdom comes from living with an open mind - seeking truth and understanding over time. There are many ideas in America that succeed only in that multiples of people agree to them. In world travel, one steps outside his comfort zone to places not found in books or within a circle of friends' banter. How may one seek universal truth by never venturing out? I have been to 52 countries and all 50 US states; wisdom is a journey, and it is rarely (if ever) complete.
Integrity - In the restaurant, we describe it as doing what is right when no one is watching. An engineer might describe it as what holds something together which the naked or untrained eye cannot see. In either case, it seems our country has a crisis of integrity in many places, though we have many fine and outstanding compatriots as well. We need to stand up and buttress what should be America.
Sovereignty - In America, authority and independence are with the human mind and spirit. We have no natural rulers, and we all have a say in the grand American experiment. Since we built and own this country, we also have the right and duty to protect and defend this creation. Hence, we also have the right to a border that places limits on who can enter and join us.
Courage - With autonomy comes a fundamental necessity to be brave and act with purpose. America will only be great as long as we are good and do the hard things.
Efficiency - As a student of economics, one learns about scarcity and that limited resources must be allocated in the best ways. Our government for too long has been wasteful and has catered to unrealistic desires just to stay in power. Deficit spending has become the norm, and we have now accumulated over $34 trillion in national debt. This profligacy has already initiated a road to ruin. Serious leaders must be put in place to turn this tide.
Honor - In the Commandments, we are instructed to honor our parents. In marriage vows, we promise to honor a spouse. To have honor is to live so as to be worthy of respect and trust. To honor someone is to revere someone and recognize something of merit and value in them.
Lawfulness - Unfortunately, we have become a society that tolerates unlawfulness, and what you tolerate, you get more of. Laws are meant to prevent chaos as well as secure rights. We need a return to respect for the rules by which we all agree to live, or America will not be worth saving.
Exploration - The curious who act to learn more about the world and its peoples are those who find answers and better ways. There are numerous ways to explore this world, and I have devoted a good chunk of my life doing so. If you never push the boundaries, there will never be any discovery.
Accountability - Our actions will be examined one way or the other. Whether in business, government, or in our own relationships, there is no accountability for our choices, there will be no growth. If we shift the blame or dishonestly claim successes (like most politicians), we all lose in the end.
Family - The building blocks of society are the relationships that form bonds and then create moral and productive new people. While there are numerous ways to be fruitful in giving back to your community, country, and indeed the world, the life-long marriage of a man and a woman that rears children is sacred and should not be made to be considered dispensable.
Patriotism - Loving and celebrating one's country is entirely appropriate, especially if you have some form of democracy - that means you are proud of something you are involved in building! Standing for the Anthem, contributing to our country in a meaningful way, and representing America well with your own life are all things that should bind us and move us forward in positive ways.
Redemption - One beautiful trait of America and many of our contemporaries - likely influenced by religious teaching and tradition - is that of second chances and reconciliation. Many things cannot be undone, certainly, but giving people opportunities to come back from failure or trespass recognizes a humanity in government and in our communities.
Life - As Americans, it is defined clearly at our core that we believe life is a right bestowed by our Creator on all of us. We are "created" - not "born" - with this right. Therefore, our right to live predates our first breath, and it logically follows that we all have a right to be born and that the concept of gestational life ought to be a distinctly American, if not universal, value.
Volunteerism - To think outside of one's own hopes and needs - Mr. Rogers shared a story of advice from his mother for dealing with scary times, "look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." I have found strength in myself as well as in affected communities in my years of volunteering in ten different countries. America needs us to not get too jaded that we are unwilling to be helpers. The results of volunteerism can range from comforting to life-changing... dare I say, world-changing.
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