THE GOAL FOR VALUES CLARIFICATION1 The process of valuing is composed of seven sub-processes which help persons to make

choices which are both personally satisfying and socially responsible. The seven sub-processes, based on choosing, pricing, and acting, are outlined here: A. CHOOSING ones beliefs and behavior 1. Choosing freely. If we are to live by our own value system, we must learn how to make independent choices. If we are only to follow authority, we will be ineffectual when authority is silent or absent, when it gives us conflicting directions or when our emotions impel us in contrary directions. 2. Choosing from alternatives. For choice making to have meaning, there have to be alternatives from which to choose. If there are no alternatives then there are no choices. The more alternatives available, the more likely we are to value our choices. Generating and considering alternative choices are necessary for clarifying and refining values. 3. Choosing after thoughtful consideration of consequences. We need to learn to examine alternatives in terms of their expected consequences. If not, our choice making is likely to be whimsical, impulsive or conforming. By considering consequences, we lessen the choice of those consequences being unexpected or unpleasant. B. PRIZING ones belief and behavior 4. Prizing and cherishing. Values inevitably not only condition our rational choices, but our feeling as well. In developing values we become aware of what we price and cherish. Our feeling help us to determine what we think is worthy and important, what our priorities are. 5. Publicly affirming When we share our choices with others-what we prize and what we do-we not only clarify our own values but we help others to clarify their values as well. It is important to encourage others to speak out about their beliefs and their actions in appropriate ways and circumstances. C. ACTING ones beliefs and behavior. 6. Acting. Often people have difficulty in acting on what they come to believe and prize. Yet, if they are to realize their values, it is vital that they learn to connect choices and prizing to their own behavoir.

Class notes in Postulancy-Novitiate Formation, 1997-1999, Claretian Missionaries, Bungiao, Zamboanga City.

7. Acting with some pattern. A single act does not make a value. We need to examine the pattern of our lives. What do we do with consistency and regularity? Do these patterns incorporate our choices and prizing? If our life pattern do not reflect our choices and prizing, we then must consider our priorities or change our behavior in order to actualize those priorities. These seven sub-processes comprise the total valuing process. Persons who have built the process of choosing, prizing and acting into their lives have learned an approach to living which is uniquely their own. The process will serve them effectively as they are confronted with controversial issues, values choices, and life dilemma.