What do YOU value ?

What is most important to YOU ?

I’ve been giving this some more thought lately 🤔

Because our values determine how we choose to live our lives. Serving to guide our choices and direction. As my own direction continues to change, I’m mindful about checking in with myself. To make sure that my decisions honor my values, which are the core of my truth.

Browsing online, I found the following resource on values, that’s worth checking out if you’re interested.

https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_85.htm

Following the steps, I asked myself the questions.

Some of which I share with you …

Identify the times when you were happiest

Find examples from both your career and personal life. This will ensure some balance in your answers.

• What were you doing?
• Were you with other people? Who?
• What other factors contributed to your happiness?

Hmmmmm … she ponders 🤔

My happiness has been dependent upon many things in the past. And my attachment to such things has been the cause of my suffering. Hence the desire to focus more attention on my inner self. Because the more personal responsibility I take for my own happiness and well being, the more consistent it is in my life.

In my career, I’m happiest when I feel supported and valued. I also need to feel like I’m being of service and making a positive difference to the lives of others, within my role. Alas, there’s little support for those of us who wander off the recommended educational pathway in the Residential Aged Care system. Hence my decision to change direction and seek out other alternatives, that better align with my values.

In my personal life, I can recall many times when Ive felt truly happy, but I’m happiest when I feel love flowing freely both ways. A sense of connection with the ones I love, is very important to me. Hence why my life time connections continue to deepen, while my seasons and reasons are starting to flow in and out of my life with a little more ease.

Identify the times when you were most proud

Use examples from your career and personal life.

• Why were you proud?
• Did other people share your pride? Who?
• What other factors contributed to your feelings of pride?

In my career, I feel a sense of pride when I successfully achieve my goals. But my proudest moment was while sitting with my colleagues, in our cap and gowns, listening to an inspirational speech during our Graduation ceremony. Having pushed through 5 very challenging years, I felt immense pride, and knew in my heart that we were going to make a positive difference in this world.

In my personal life, I feel a sense of pride when I overcome obstacles and grow from my challenges. But my proudest moments are when I see my children growing from their own challenges. During those times I feel my heart burst with pride. The same sense of pride flows, as I watch my fellow Goddesses rise and shine. A feeling that continues to guide me towards the kind of work I visualize doing in my future.

Identify the times when you were most fulfilled and satisfied

Again, use both work and personal examples.

• What need or desire was fulfilled?
• How and why did the experience give your life meaning?
• What other factors contributed to your feelings of fulfillment?

This is an interesting one to ponder over because like happiness, my sense of fulfillment and satisfaction is becoming more consistent, rather than being dependent upon successful achievement of something in particular. Perhaps that’s because my need and desire to stand in and express my truth has become more important ? Therefore, my life itself is becoming a meaningful experience, which brings a sense of fulfillment in the every day.

Determine your top values, based on your experiences of happiness, pride, and fulfillment

Some of the values that guide me through life are …

Love .. Honesty .. Openness .. Understanding .. Support .. Faith .. Hope .. Vision .. Growth .. Self-actualization .. Service .. Exploration

Although Ive always known what I value most, life experiences have changed me. My heart breaks have taught me valuable lessons in love. And as my children grow and mature, their needs change, which changes my role as a Mother. Ultimately, these changes have been the BIGGEST and most challenging of all. Taking me on a journey inwards, closer to my own truth as a woman.

Over the last few years, I’ve been culling and letting go of my stuff, both material and emotional. As I consciously let go, Ive noticed how my values were changing in order of priority, based on what I considered to be most important. All those things I’ve been holding onto, have slowly fallen away. But, not without a fight.

“One of the hardest lessons in life is letting go. Whether its guilt, anger, love, loss or betrayal. Change is never easy. We fight to hold on and fight to let go”

As Ive opened up and dived into the depths of my mind and heart, its been an internal battle that’s challenged the very woman I am. Making way for the woman I am becoming. The woman who shines a light on the darkness. Inviting you to dive into the depths of who you are, so you can heal heart hurts and overcome fears that hold you back. Guiding others to take the journey inwards, towards creating the changes they desire to see in their own lives.

Bringing me to this moment in time …

A single woman, following the call of my heart, carrying what little belongings I have on my back, traveling alone to the other side of the world, towards a future that’s yet to unfold.

Am I afraid ? … Absofookinlootly !!!

The truth is, although I acknowledge that the immense love I feel for my family, has held me back from living the life I imagine in the past. It wasn’t just my sense of responsibility and duty, it was also my own fear.

It may sound strange to some, that I refer to the love of my family holding me back. Considering I come from a loving and supportive family, whom I cherish. But its important to note, that both love and fear can either oppress or liberate.

I speak about my own experience of love, so its about ME and how my own fear of loss, rejection, abandonment and failure have caused me to attach and hold onto people, places, situations and beliefs that have limited and confined me.

The biggest change within my own heart and mind is that neither love nor fear is holding me back, because both serve to guide me.

Although I’m well aware of the changes within my mind, its difficult to describe the feeling in my heart at the moment, because its something new, yet its also familiar 🤔

Something I’m still exploring

“Identifying and understanding your values is a challenging and important exercise. Your personal values are a central part of who you are – and who you want to be. By becoming more aware of these important factors in your life, you can use them as a guide to make the best choice in any situation”. (Mindtools)

Mindfulinteraction ❤