Page 5 - My FlipBook

to date? Who to have sex with? Whether to kiss, date, or have sex with
anyone at all? The answers to these giant, complicated questions come
from you and your values.
Values are the set of principles that define the way you want to
be in the world. They guide not just what you do but what you believe.
Values come from all parts of your life—from your family, your friends,
your culture, and your communities. Sometimes these values match
your feelings and beliefs perfectly. Sometimes they don’t. If they don’t,
you have the right to question them and to shape your values in a way
that makes sense for you. If you find yourself questioning the values of
people in your life, look for people who share values closer to yours and
talk to them. You get to pick what values feel most important to you and
what defines the absolute core of who you are. You define your values
for yourself.
Not everyone has the same values. What’s important to you is
not the same as what’s important to everyone else. Recognizing that
difference is essential for helping you make decisions and understanding
the decisions other people make. Whenever you face a difficult situation,
it’s helpful to ask, “Well, what choice is most in line with my values?”
Figuring out your values requires examining the big ideas behind
your desires. Here are some examples. Do any of these describe what’s
most important to you? Make a list of your core values. Here are some
ideas to get started:

• living an independent life
• respecting privacy and personal choices
• exploring the world as much as possible
• respecting my parents’ wishes
• supporting my family
• being a compassionate friend
• behaving as my religion tells me to

YoUr BOdY, YOUR rULes 5