First and foremost, we teach values by displaying them.
How many times have you heard somebody complain about how the world is, or how other people need to change? How many times have we all thought that ourselves?
The real truth, however, is that "others" are not really our responsibility. What we control are our own behaviors, reactions, and interactions. If we truly reflect on those, we will always find room for improvement.
I don’t know if St. Francis actually said the following, but it’s often attributed to him:
Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.
Whoever said it, it’s an important way to look at how we influence our world. Far too often we switch that around in our lives, talking a big game but really just behaving like everybody we claim to have a problem with. It’s a little hypocritical, but more importantly it’s a lost opportunity to be better.
A popular phrase among eastern sages, and often attributed to the Buddha, says that words and teachings are just fingers pointing. In other words, don’t confuse these teachings with the actual thing. The lessons aren’t the thing, they’re simply guiding you to it.
These words are important, but the real thing transcends them and leads us to something greater. In fact, leads us to becoming something greater. Without that part, these words are merely branding, and not actually culture.
Culture is not a way of believing, it’s a way of being. If we believe it’s good to be generous, but we don’t give anything of ourselves to those in need, the problem is not others, it’s us. There are many examples, of course, and the point here is not to criticize, but to inspire.
We all, every single one of us, have profound opportunities to improve ourselves into something more coherent, something more genuine, and something more holistically fulfilling. When our minds and spirits match up with our behaviors, our lives become far richer. Not only that, but those around us experience something new, and something that might influence them to be better themselves.
The ripple effect from one or two people doing this can impact entire families and friend groups. The impact of a youth sports group as big as ours doing it has the potential to transform entire communities and regions. Never underestimate how powerful your example is, and work every day to make it a good one.