Real Value

When we think of the word ‘Value’ we are drawn to monetary value or the emotional value of things. The other way of thinking of the word is when we speak about principles, beliefs, morals, etc. 

This word struck me this morning and I thought of what the real value of a thing is to me. Here I am talking about the value in terms of what a particular thing brings to my life. What amount of benefit (for lack of a better word) does it bring to me. 

Firstly, the value that I place on something is my own, it is subjective, it is personal. The value that I place on something today might change tomorrow. Nobody needs to be in agreement with me on the value I place on something. 

Is this value (the amount of goodness ) worth equating to the cost of that thing? Does the cost/price of the item determine its value in my life?

Let us consider an expensive thing like a car. When we decide on a car, it is generally a car of our dreams or simply put – it has some amount of aspirational value associated with it. So, when this car comes home, and we drive around in it, show it to our family and friends – do we feel good about the car because of the money we paid for it, or for the way it makes us feel when we are driving it? I think, in this case there are a few things that contribute to the value of the car for us – the cost, because we used our hard earned money to buy it, there is a sense of achievement. Secondly, the way we feel when we drive it – there is a feeling of immense joy, pride and happiness. This multiplies the overall value multiple times over. Owning an expensive car may also help raise your status in your social circle, thus adding a few more points to the value of the car to us.

Now, let us look at the value of something we don’t give a second thought to. Something we almost pay nothing for – I am talking about the humble kadi-patta or curry leaves. We use the twigs and leaves of this plant almost everyday in our cooking. We might have a plant of our own and we don’t give a second thought when we need it, we just walk up to the plant and pluck a couple of twigs. The plant is simple, unassuming, not demanding of any special care. It’s almost as basic as an aloe vera plant. 

If we don’t have the curry leaves plant at home, we don’t face any problem  either. Our neighbourhood bhajiwala (vegetable vendor) always throws in a handful of curry leaves for free with every purchase you make at his store. If not for free, it is one of the cheapest things you can buy at a vegetable store. 

Now, let us look at the value the humble curry leaves bring to us. 

Imagine your daal without the curry leaves as part of the tadka (seasoning). Imagine any of your favourite curries or chutneys minus these green flavorful leaves. Scary right! We use them so freely in everything. We even make use of them to make a nourishing hair oil for our crowning glory. Doctors, family elders, naturopathy practitioners talk about the health benefits of these amazing leaves. 

So, what value do these leaves bring into our lives? Can we put a number to it? Can we quantify the value? Is there a connection between the cost/price of the curry leaves and the value they bring to us? 

I thought about the last line and to my mind the actual value of curry leaves outweighs their cost by a huge huge margin. There is just no comparison at all!

When we attach a value to every ‘thing’ around us, it also means that we attach a value to the people in our life. Now, think about your go-to person. Is that person like a fancy car or like the curry leaves? What value does this person bring into your life. Can you think of your life without this person?

Think and let your thoughts flow into the comments.