April: Choose Your Guiding Value

Inspired by Ram Navami

It’s easy to admire courage, compassion, and integrity in a story. Practicing them on an ordinary Tuesday takes a little more thought.

This April, inspired by Ram Navami, choose one value you admire in Rama and give it a place in your everyday life. Small moments offer plenty of opportunities to practice.

learn & recite

सत्यं वद। धर्मं चर।
Satyam vada. Dharmam chara.

“Speak the truth. Practice righteousness.”

This short teaching from the Taittiriya Upanishad, 1.11.1 invites us to bring honesty and right action into daily life.

Let it prompt a simple question: “What would it look like to live my values today?”

your affirmation

“I let my values guide my words and actions.”

Say it after the Sanskrit, or before a choice that needs a little extra care.

try this: give your value a mission

Choose one value to practice this month:

Courage: Try something that feels unfamiliar or speak up when someone needs support.
Integrity: Keep a promise or take responsibility for a mistake.
Compassion: Listen patiently or help someone without being asked.

Write your value on a card and decorate it with a symbol—a lion for courage, a compass for integrity, or a heart for compassion. Place it somewhere you’ll see it.

Then give yourself one small mission each week that puts your value into action.

Trying this as a family? Choose a shared value and let everyone suggest a mission. “Be more patient with my brother” is a perfectly worthy undertaking. Possibly an ambitious one.

let your value lead, every day

Recite the Sanskrit, repeat your affirmation, and ask:

“Where can I practice my chosen value today?”

In the evening, notice one moment when you tried. If a moment went differently than you hoped, think about what you could do next time.