A long time ago, I told myself "My core values define me." I believe that your values create your personality and how you interact with everything around you. Never, and I mean never, allow someone to convince you to bend your core values. These are you; hence core. It would be like removing your arm. Sure you could do that, but now you are only a part of your former self.
Someone tested my core values, and instead of listen to my values, I listen to the "professional." I was told that sometimes there are shades of grey within core values. No! And the exclamation point is not there for looks. The values are yours and not anyone else's. If you abandon them or even bend them, you are hurting and damaging yourself.
Now my values are being tested again. Again, I was told that I had to make concessions to have the "problem" go away. Even though I believe that I shouldn't make any type of concessions, I did. Again, I lost sight of my values, and I am getting hammered from it. Today I decided what I believe in and what I'm willing to do. I am willing to be me again and not someone I hate. Sure this change in direction will cause issues, I am willing to live with those new issues.
It's not worth losing yourself. Keep yourself intact and never forgot you. In the race, you will look back and smile. You will know that you believed in yourself and your values. That is what matters.