The Seven Army Values - They’re not just for the militaryWritten by Joseph Yakel
The Army defines seven values that soldiers should strive to emulate in their daily lives. These core values establish a standard of conduct; they form foundation of personal behavior that defines person, as well as expectations soldiers have of one another. These values are Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.Here's thing. The Army didn’t invent values. There are many more than seven values that identify desirable human conduct and behavior (and plenty that define undesirable behavior as well), and they've been around for a long time. So, that said, it should come as no surprise that seven Army values are not just for military - they apply to each and every citizen…this makes perfect sense, as all soldiers are citizens first. We all have positions in life…stations, if you will…and it matters not what your station in life happens to be…some or all of these seven values are tested as a matter of course, each day of one’s life. The values are as applicable to student as they are to professor; as important to patient as they are to doctor; as challenging to child as they are to adult; and as attainable by penniless as they are by millionaire. In short, seven values are for everyone. What are values, and how are they applicable to everyone? Loyalty - Bear true faith and allegiance to U.S. constitution, Army, and other soldiers. Be loyal to nation and its heritage. For citizen, this means showing your faith in our nation, your elected and appointed leaders and your fellow citizens. People want to know they can trust you. And you want same reassurances from others. Duty - Fulfill your obligations. Accept responsibility for your actions and those entrusted to your care. Find opportunities to improve oneself for good of unit. For citizen, you’ve got a job to do and people depend on you to get it done. If someone needs help, give it to them. If you need help, seek it from your peers. Be consistent in action and deed. Respect - Treat people as they should be treated. How we consider others reflects upon each of us, both personally and as a professional organization. Act courteously toward friends, acquaintances and strangers alike. If you disagree with an opinion or point of view, challenge position, but avoid personal attack. Remember that your actions speak volumes about yourself and your business or organization.
| | Playing it SafeWritten by Lynn Cutts
Do you play it safe with your creativity, be it expressed through dancing, music, writing, painting, acting . . . ? Do you find yourself working with same old, comfortable people, places, and situations? Where do you hold back, or fear to tread at all? The truth is, we all play it safe: in our art, our work, and our lives. We've been taught to do so from birth. First our parents protected us from danger, then schools, society, and various government agencies took over. Now it's become a deeply ingrained, limiting habit.Perhaps you play it safe with kind of things you create, sticking to one topic, outlet or style. Maybe you avoid uncomfortable issues in your work, situations that get just a little too real, or a character that's a little too like you. Or you have this fantastic idea that you're waiting to do because, "You're just not good enough yet." Maybe you limit yourself to local venues, or don't charge enough for your work. Or perhaps, you couldn't bring yourself to call that agent, that potential backer, that gallery, and pitch your work. Wherever you play it safe in your creativity is also where you play it safe in life. Can't make your characters get confrontational? Well then, ask yourself, how well do you handle confrontation? Follow all rules in your painting? Where else do you blindly toe line? Can't send that demo tape into radio station? Where else do you lack confidence? There's nothing intrinsically wrong in playing it safe. We all do it in order to survive–or so we've been taught–but as we move through life, we outgrow our safety nets, just as we've outgrown our playpens and car seats. Some of us consistently choose known over unknown, small but sure return over risky investment. Others play it safe by avoiding chance of rejection, exposure, or disappointment. Sometimes we play it safe in one area of our lives so we can waltz on precipice's edge in another. But playing it safe is really taking biggest risk of all: risk that we will never learn or grow in that particular area. And those are areas where life's most precious and important lessons await.
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