Now that we have established what our values are, let’s look at how they affect us. Values are our guide posts. They guide our behavior. Values are the principles, ideals and standards that impact our belief about ourselves and the world. They are the non-conscious record playing in the
background of our psyche, that imprints on how we think and act.
For example “Have a grateful heart” is a simple statement one hears often. What exactly does that mean? Why would it matter if one is grateful or not? If we carry the value of gratitude, it helps us to appreciate the many gifts, opportunities, blessings, and challenges that meet us in this life. It opens us up to be more generous. Through gratitude we discover true appreciation for our friends, family, life, and our circumstances, even if they are challenging. Gratitude gives you a lens through which you view everything.
We are bombarded with external messages from the media, that try to influence us to feel we are lacking. When one holds the value of confidence, we know we are enough. We can be content in all things. That does not mean we are not open for growth. The quote from Socrates, “The unexamined life in not worth living” reminds us to look at what we value. Our actions are often determined by our
unconscious mind.
Pause. Reflect. Consider. Why did I respond in that fashion? What is my underlying belief? What value do I hold that feels like it is incoherent? What values do I hold, that make me feel empowered? Why does this situation make me feel so angry? So Hopeful? So, Inspired? Be Patient with yourself and with others. Give the space needed to examine why you feel, act, re-act, think, judge or not judge.
Remember when we learned to cross the street. Stop. Look. Listen. As we go along our life path, yes sometimes it feels like a super highway. Stop. Look. Listen. Pause. Reflect. Consider. Listen to your inner compass, your inner guidance system, your spirit. It knows what is right for you.
Values are enduring beliefs that help a person decide what is right or wrong and what is detrimental. Values give structure to the goals we strive for and what personal qualifications to develop. What do you want to create in your world? What values do you hold that will align with that creation. Kindness, compassion, abundance, fortitude, gratitude, purity, humour. Add your values to the list.
That which we think about expands. Energy goes where consciousness flows. Let’s examine our values, select the ones we want to lean into. Pick out the ones that no longer serve us. Be conscious of why we do what we do. Choose. Choose With Wisdom.
Comment on what value you hold, how it shows up in your life. What do you love about that? What would you change?