As Christmas approaches and we reflect upon what this Holiday Season means to us, these two words stand out for me: Truth and Valor.  The meaning of Truth is self-evident; to be honest in dealings with others is essential for building a foundation of trust and, upon that, a lasting relationship. This holds true in our dealings with family, friends, coworkers, clients and even total strangers. If you stay true to yourself, the rest comes naturally; this is the first and most important value.

What about Valor, however?  For many, this “old” word may conjure up ideas of medieval courage in battle. But when we study the origins of Valor, the meaning becomes wider and deeper:

​Quite literally, the concepts of Value and Worth are embedded in this word. Those elements came first, Courage later.  These words have deep meaning for the work we do each day. Do we create value and worth?  And do we stay courageous to achieving the intended result when the going is difficult?

Others may not always appreciate the worth of our work at the time, or value it as highly as we think they should. But if we hold fast to its true purpose, that recognition will come.

Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with Truth and Valor!