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:

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