Values

Where do our values come from? I mean the foundation?

Naturally, our environment from birth heavily determines values that shape our lives. If we’re lucky, as we grow, those values become part of our true purpose. However, factors like culture, expectations, and obligations can skew our reality of self and create people we weren’t meant to be, but thought we were supposed to be. The balance of honoring our values and our own path is a constant art - an endeavor that can easily go off track when life is as they say ‘lifeing.’ The paradox is our values are the anchors to get us back on track, if they are truly ours and not incepted. 

Everyone is going through something and one man’s wind is another’s lull. It is the new year and top of time to reflect and check in within. For me, I am asking myself the following questions and their answers are part of my compass for the rest of the year.

1. Are my actions aligned with my authentic values?

2. Have I made space to honor my own needs and dreams?

3. How are my values impacting others? 

What I have learned so far is that undermining my values has led to neglecting my personal pursuits and losing sight of self, which caused tremendous burnout. I’ve had quite a period of time in my life where I felt stuck and lost. It did not help that I thought everyone else around me had it figured out and seemed to be moving along while I struggled to just steady myself. It took a lot of listening to my inner voice and courage to let my values be a guiding light.

Some may be reading this having no clue what their values are. To them I say, you are not alone. It’s time to ask yourself some really important questions about life. I know you know some work is required if you are truly committed to discovering yourself. Only you can take the steps necessary to move forward. Everything else around is either an obstacle or a building block.

1. What have I been taught? 

2. What have I learned about myself so far? 

3. What’s important to me? 

4. Am I in an environment that nurtures me?  

This isn’t me telling you to be self centered and ignore responsibilities that come with being human on this earth. I understand the pull of expectations and obligations. It all goes back to self love and serving from a place of abundance. You know how we’re told to put the breathing mask on ourselves first, before helping others? Well doing so, is how we are able to actually help, while keeping ourselves alive in the process. Honoring our values isn’t necessarily an either or situation. It’s about doing for self that creates impact.

I pray that we live our purpose so much so that it uplifts others and becomes the normal with space and ample support provided to get there. Some of us may be where getting to this place seems unimaginable and I pray we hold on to the irrefutable truth that to be human is to live in the simplest and most natural self, so one brave step at a time and taking care might just be the starting point.