Living and Walking in our Values
Living and Walking in Your Values
Values are the beliefs that people hold, particularly concerning what is right and wrong and what is most important in life. They serve as a foundation for our actions and attitudes, shaping who we are and how we interact with the world around us.
There are several reasons why our values are important. First, our values have a direct impact on the decisions we make. They serve as a guide for our behavior, influencing the way we choose to act and the way we treat others. Taking time to reflect on our values, identify the ones that are most important to us, and striving to live by them is essential. When our actions are not aligned with our values, and we are not living in accordance with them, we risk experiencing a disconnect or lack of fulfillment in our lives.
If you are not familiar with Brenee Brown, researcher and storyteller, you will be changed by her writings and studies of vulnerability, courage, shame, and empathy. I hope that you will indulge yourself and read some of her work. https://brenebrown.com/
Brené Brown believes that acknowledging and living by our core values is essential because they serve as our “north star” — guiding how we think, act, and connect with others, especially when life gets difficult. Here are the key reasons she gives:
1. Values provide clarity and direction.
“When we’re clear on our values, we find the courage to walk in them.” — Brené Brown, Dare to Lead
2. Values build courage and dignity. Knowing what we stand for makes it easier to act consistently and authentically, rather than reacting to fear or shame.
3. Values keep us grounded during uncertainty. Brown emphasizes that in moments of stress, criticism, or failure, our values are what keep us steady.
4. Values strengthen connection and trust. When we live in alignment with our values, people can trust us more easily.
5. Values help us lead and love more “wholeheartedly.”
Brenee writes a lot about living our lives more wholeheartedly. “Wholehearted living is the process of cultivating a life guided by love, belonging, and authenticity, rather than fear, shame, and comparison. It’s choosing to show up — imperfect but real.” Whew! Don’t you love that!!!!
From her book “The Gifts of Imperfection,” Brown outlines ten guideposts that support a wholehearted life:
1. Cultivating Authenticity – Letting go of what people think.
2. Cultivating Self-Compassion – Letting go of perfectionism.
3. Cultivating a Resilient Spirit – Letting go of numbing and powerlessness.
4. Cultivating Gratitude and Joy – Letting go of scarcity and fear of the dark.
5. Cultivating Intuition and Trusting Faith – Letting go of the need for certainty.
6. Cultivating Creativity – Letting go of comparison.
7. Cultivating Play and Rest – Letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self-worth.
8. Cultivating Calm and Stillness – Letting go of anxiety as a lifestyle.
9. Cultivating Meaningful Work – Letting go of self-doubt and “supposed to.”
10. Cultivating Laughter, Song, and Dance – Letting go of being cool and “always in control.”
Y’all, this stuff is so rich. I just have to give a shout out to my friend and sometimes coach, Kara Kemp. https://karajkemp.org/ She is amazing at helping you find your story and particularly good at helping you pinpoint your most important and meaningful values. If you need a good life coach, she is your girl. She is a storyteller “extraordinaire”.
I am adding all the worksheets you need to dig into your values, AND an example of the last one I did for myself. They change over time – so change your lantern when needed.
Go out there and do the very best you can. Live your life in alignment with your values. It is so much easier than always wearing the armor that keeps us from finding our peace. I hope this is something meaningful for you! Remember, it‘s a process and takes intentionality!!!!
With all the love I can muster for my dear friends and family!!!
Diane
