My values matter because when I don’t live by them I spiral downhill.
The fury abated in the end last night and – with nothing better to do – I set off down the hurt route!!! Blimey! That was clever and so energising and enlivening I was exhausted by 9.00pm!!
I allowed myself to really ‘enjoy’ (more heavy sarcasm here) the evening. I ‘ran’ my ‘figure of eight’ – several times last night, and again this morning. At least this morning I chose the positive exit rather than the negative one I went down yesterday!
So where do my Values come into all this. Well last night I didn’t live by them. Let me explain.
My Default list is:
Growth – what I was doing last night was in no way growth orientated
Love – I didn’t love myself
Courage – I wimped out
Communication – I didn’t listen to either ‘my best friend me’ or ‘my coach me’
Intelligence – What I did last night could in no way be described as intelligent!
Trust – I failed to trust me
Respect – I showed no respect to me and what I’ve achieved so far
Strength – Hardly!
Security – OK I felt secure in my bad place
Adventure – need I say more
Significance – yes I gave myself significance but in a ‘sorry for me’ way not in a postive way.
Making a difference – No I wasn’t doing that at all. In fact the opposite
Happiness – I failed spectacularly to be happy or to give myself Permission to be Happy.
So, dear reader, I hope this helps to explain why living by your values is so important. Because when you do the opposite life is grim!
Finally I think I’m beginning to Get It! (*Can almost hear Stephen breathing sigh of relief!!!*)