 Hi
"Two levels of self have been postulated. One is
solid (true/authentic) self, made up of firmly held convictions and
values. It is formed slowly and can be changed from within the self,
but it can never be changed by coercion or persuasion of others. (It is
non-negotiable.)
The other level of
self is the pseudo self, made up of knowledge incorporated by the
intellect and beliefs acquired from others. The pseudo self is acquired
from others and it is negotiable in relationship with others. It can
be changed by emotional pressure from others." -Roberta M. Gilbert M.D.
Defining our values helps us make conscious
choices and live a life on purpose from the unique calling of our
souls. What an interesting exercise choosing...or rather recognizing
what the highest values we live by is.
Usually our highest values
are the qualities of being we have fought long and hard to develop. We
strive to embody our highest callings because they mean that much to
us. They come form an inner place - a soul place that calls us to live
in a certain way.
After much deep thought I knew in my very being
that the values that I have always longed to embody and stood by quite
unfailingly are the following:
Freedom: Ever since I can remember, I have questioned the "rules" and I get very uncomfortable when
I start to feel hemmed in by family rules, work rules and societal
rules. I like to trust my own inner guidance system and live my life
from the inside rather than outer imposed "shoulds".
Authenticity: Something
that I have struggled long and hard for is the courage to be myself and
express myself honestly no matter what anyone else might think. My
expression has grown over the years from my more "shrouded" paintings
and drawings to a more concise way of expressing myself in written form
and now I am moving into speaking in front of people and groups. Being honest and authentic with whoever I am with is one of my highest priorities.
This invites real connection that is deeply inviting in it's humanness.
Passion: Passion
is what I live for. For me it includes creativity, heart, love, and
sexual expression and spontaneity. Passion for me is enthusiasm,
inspiration, illumination, and intensity. Passion is dedication and
great determination. Passion is an ecstatic communion with the Divine
and the Creative Forces of Life.
My values will be different than
yours but once you find your primary values you can begin to make all
of your life decisions in alignment with your values and you will know
what you stand for in every situation. Your values might be integrity,
or connection, or health, or love, or loyalty, or respect, or beauty, or creativity. Whatever they are, they will form the basis of all of your choices.
"Thus, we see
that Values
determine
the
intensity
and flow of
our
psychological
energies.
In the end, the quality of the values we
embrace and the intensity of our
commitment to them determines
the level of our accomplishment
in life." -Roy Posner Some common personal values are:
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Accomplishment Success
Accountability
Accuracy
Adventure
Beauty
Calm, quietude Peace
Challenge
Change
Orderliness
Collaboration
Commitment
Communication
Community
Competence
Connection
Improvement
Cooperation
Coordination
Creativity
Decisiveness
Delight
Joy
Discipline
Discovery
Equality
Excellence
Fairness
Faith
Faithfulness
Family
|
Freedom
Friendship
Fun
Good will
Goodness
Gratitude
Hard work
Harmony
Honesty
Honor
Improvement
Independence
Individuality
Inner peace Quietude
Innovation
Integrity
Intensity
Justice
Knowledge
Leadership
Love Romance
Loyalty
Meaning
Openness
Peace Non-violence
Perfection
|
Prosperity Wealth
Regularity
Reliability
Resourcefulness
Respect
Responsiveness
Safety
Security
Self-givingness
Self-reliance
Service
Simplicity
Timeliness
Tolerance
Tradition
Tranquility
Trust
Truth
Unity
Variety
Wisdom |
Much Love to you,
Shelley
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