Values

“Values are like fingerprints, nobody’s are the same but you leave them all over everything you do”.

Elvis Presley.

I love this image.

I came across it when looking for images for my website & I realize the reason why I find it so appealing is because it connects strongly to my values.

I know my personal values (in no particular order) are clarity, positivity, health, connection, elegance & nature.

Do you know yours?

#What exactly are values?

They can be viewed or described as…

  • Your signature.
  • The ‘jewel box’ of your soul.
  • Ways of being & things you really love to do that are so ‘you’.
  • The reason why you are naturally drawn towards certain things.
  • The reason why some things seem effortless.
  • Your values are not…
  • Things you can’t live without (that’s a need).
  • Things you can practice or have lessons in (that’s a skill).
  • Things that anyone else has passed on or decided for you.
  • Things that sound good or important to have as values.

Your values have always been with you.

We build our lives around our values & they spill out everywhere.

#Why is it useful/important to know your values?

“Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny”

Gandhi

If you know your values & are alert & tuned into them you will make decisions & define goals in accordance with them.

If you are unaware or unintentional you may not.

The chances are if you are in a situation such as a relationship or a job that frequently causes you emotional pain, mental anguish or symptoms of stress it’s because you are being forced to live in some way out of synch with your values.

On the flip side, those moments when you are joyfully & effortlessly doing your thing, flying along or floating on a cloud feeling invincible, then you are operating in your values.

Your values determine your destiny. You owe it to yourself & to the world to know your values!

#How do you find out what yours are?

I would recommend using these tools to help you find out what your values are…

  • Think back over the last few weeks or months and try to place 5 moments when you felt truly happy / at peace/ fulfilled / proud / satisfied. Or maybe all of these at once!
    Think about the details of those situations. Who were you with? What were you doing? Why did it feel so good? What did you learn?
    Reflect on these memories and this information to identify potential values.

 

  • Sift through a pre made list of potential values available online or as a freebie from my website. Download here
    At first, pick out about 20 that you feel an initial connection to. Don’t think too hard about it & don’t judge your choices.
    Then set aside time over a few days to mull them over in your mind/ meditate/ reflect & narrow it down to 5 or so that really resonate with you.
    It’s a very personal thing but you may feel able to share them with someone you trust to see if they recognize them as your fingerprint.