What is really valuable?

Many people desire to attain a certain position that brings certain privileges. For instance, a general manager in a company or a commander in the military can utilize all the resources of the company or military, just as a singer utilizes all the prestige and financial opportunities resulting from their fame.

Positions don’t solely consist of certain professional titles. Sometimes simply having something can be an example of prestige. A luxury car, a house in a rich neighborhood or a summerhouse can be indicators of position. Position brings with it a kind of illusion that leads people to forget what is really valuable. Major segments of society are chasing after such illusions.
The position one possesses shows his/her value according to the norms of society although the reality is different. A doctor who has a wonderful summerhouse and a luxurious car is regarded as a valuable person because he has a prestigious profession, has done well and earned a fortune. On the other hand, a person who has lost his job and is having a difficult time earning a living for his family and is residing in a low-income apartment complex might be regarded as worthless. In fact, being valuable or worthless has nothing to do with nice houses, luxury cars or expensive apartments.
Actually, being valuable is simply being a nice person. It means helping others, living without being a burden on others, producing something, having a meaningful life, loving others, hugging them and showing understanding. These are what make you valuable. When a believer worships God, he becomes valuable. Being loyal and responsible, being hardworking, generous and humble make someone valuable. It is all about values, not money or position.
Few people are aware of the significance of being valuable in life. People spend their life struggling to attain a certain position. We have countless desires such as going to college, being promoted, buying a house, being a champion with our team, being famous, completing a Ph.D., being a professor at a university, running a store or establishing a business. Please don’t get me wrong, I don’t say we should not demand or struggle to achieve all this. Rather I am saying we should not miss other important things as we work for the above-mentioned things. If I were able to hear all the prayers of people, I would probably see that most people have worldly demands. However, it would be more appropriate if we asked for virtues as much as we asked for worldly things. Requests such as “I would like to be a more helpful, more sensitive and more honest person,” can supersede worldly demands. In this way humanity’s focus can change as well.
Some people don’t realize that having values is what really matters even when they happen to lose everything they have. A wad of money on a table is seen differently by an adult and a baby. The former focuses his/her eyes on the money, while the latter does not even realize the presence of the money. The baby knows only compassionate looks and affection are what matters.
Few people have enough awareness of this to go after the real valuables when they lose their status or position and the privileges that come with them. Someone who has gone bankrupt might eventually realize that helping others or maintaining strong familial ties is more important than luxury. On the other hand, others might just continue their ambitious struggle and be furious over the loss of anything. Instead of changing themselves and their ideas, these people begin their struggle again at the earliest opportunity and waste their real second chance.
May you attain “real” valuables.