The Value Proposition | Fort Bend Focus Magazine

The Value Proposition

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher

Being valued: Spending time with your tribe.

Values is a word I used frequently raising my babies, primarily in the spiritual and moral realm. They were the basic principles one would expect – integrity, loyalty, kindness, work ethic, honesty, service, common sense – those meritorious standards of behavior, or “values,” I tried to instill as a parent through example and definition.

As my roots have grown out to a less than desirable shade of alabaster, I find myself contemplating the concept of values a bit differently. Now I’m still on board with the standards of behavior I set forth as examples years ago, but now, I am seeing the term “value” more and more as it defines individuals and relationships.

I believe that our people – our family, the tribe we choose, our colleagues – are of infinite value. In this realm, I mean value as the importance and worth of our people; the merit and gift that they are in our lives, and the currency that we give in reciprocation to those individuals. That’s the “value” of some of the most important things we have to give – our time, our concern, our support, our love.

I am blessed that I have many people in my life who I truly value. On the flip side, I sincerely make an effort to be valuable to them – to be worth their time, their concern, their support, their love. It’s not always an easy task; it takes effort. And like most things in life, the most valuable indeed require the most effort.

What I’m seeing more and more often, however, is a trend in folks that’s got me a bit unnerved. I’m not seeing “value” reciprocity. I’m not a complicated girl. I believe that one good action begets another good action. I’m pretty sure that’s Biblical. Essentially if you truly value someone and show that in your actions and deeds, they will in turn value you as well. It’s a rather simplistic point of view, but I like it. It works for me – makes perfect sense. Unfortunately, this stream of logic appears to be a bit complicated for some, and I just don’t get it. It’s akin to “Momma’s Life Lessons” that I gave to my babies on their 18^th birthday. Number 6 clearly states: “If you don’t want my peaches, don’t shake my tree.” Clear, concise, cogent, like one good action begets another good action.

I know what if feels like to be valued. I know what it feels like to not be valued. The value proposition is better – every time. See y’all next week – on the porch!

Patti Parish-Kaminski