Life Skills & Leadership: Unit 1, Session 4: Choosing Positive Values | Page 48 of 93
“Unfortunately, this next part of your journey takes you through a parched, dry desert. Things are
looking pretty bad for you in this heat with such a heavy load in your bag and very little water. Rather
than run out of strength entirely, it’s better for you to give up another value. I need you to look at your
three remaining values and choose one that you think you can live without and leave it in the desert.
Please hold it up now so I can take it.”
- Collect a third slip of paper from each participant. At this point, participants will become more
reluctant to give up one of their values. Be persistent with your request but don’t force people to give
up a value if they absolutely refuse. Make a mental note of interesting reactions like this and be
prepared to refer to them in the discussion later. Say:
“I know that was difficult for many of you but the desert is very harsh! I imagine that you are feeling
rather protective of the two values you have left and that you would like to hang onto them and keep
them safe. For that reason, I am especially sorry to inform you that your journey has taken you to a
steep mountain. In order to climb the sheer rock walls, you will need to lighten your load. So I must ask
you to give me one of your two remaining values. This will be critical if you are to climb the mountain
and reach your eventual destination. Please look at them and consider carefully, then give me the value
that you think you can continue your travels without.”
- Collect a fourth slip of paper from the participants. Again, you will need to be persistent to get some
participants to give you another slip of paper. Take some mental notes of participants’ reactions, such
as reluctance, uneasiness, laughter, or arguing. Say:
“Well, you certainly have all been dedicated travelers on this very difficult journey – especially since
you’ve had to make some tough decisions. You now have one value that is very important for you. It is
one that you have kept longer than any of your other values. Please take a good, long look at your last
value because (pause for dramatic effect) you have reached the top of the mountain and the end of
your journey so you may keep that value!”
- Engage participants in a discussion that will help them draw conclusions from the activity and enable
them to see its relevance to their lives. Select appropriate questions from this list:
How did you feel as you gradually gave up or lost your values? (Possible responses: angry;
uncomfortable; sad; didn’t want to give up a value)
What reactions did you notice other people having? (Possible responses: angry; frustrated; upset;
some people did it more easily than others)
What other situations is this similar to? (Possible responses: choosing what activities I do in my
community; completing multiple school assignments; finishing my chores at home)
What are scenarios when you have had to give up one of your values? (Possible responses:
choosing among social groups at school or in community; choosing whether to participate in risky
activities; choosing whether to help a friend by providing answers for a school test; taking
something that isn’t yours to help a friend or family member)
What did you learn about your own values and holding values in general? (Possible responses:
when making choices, it is helpful to know which values are important, or which ones are more
important than others in that situation; it can be difficult to clarify what is most important to me)
