Living by Values

What are your values? Do you know them? If you do, how do you live by them? Do you live by them consciously?

These are all questions I’ve been thinking about recently. And if you’re anything like me: A great one for making lists, having good intentions and then conveniently forgetting all about them once the list is put away!

So how do we live by our values? Like really, moment by moment and in the moment?

Here’s something I’ve been doing recently. And, well it’s actually working so I thought I’d share it with you here:

First off, know your values. If you don’t know them, try creating them. Ask yourself:

What are those life values that really resonate with you? What are those values you see in others that inspire you? By nature of you being inspired, do these same values hold true for you too?

Take a moment to think these questions through and note down the values that come to you. Not the ones that really resonate with you.

Mine are Gratitude, Grace, Courage, Greatness and Simplicity.  These five values resonate with me deeply. I aspire to be these values and to live by them.

But how?

Here’s an approach that I’ve come up with and it seems to be working.

In a moment of thought when confronted by something that’s significant enough it warrants thought, I ask myself:

“What would Gratitude do here?”
“How would Grace be here?”
“What would Courage say here?”
“What would Greatness look like here?”
“How would Simplicity act here?”

I then listen for the answers.

And like truth-tellers, they answer.

Like this morning when I woke up feeling tired and jaded and not wanting to write. I asked:

“What would Courage say here?” I heard back: “Courage would check in and mark out some time to write. Courage would write that first pass draft on the topic I’ve been scared to write about and putting off. Why? Because in fact it might be helpful to someone else out there. Courage would be playful and take breaks, knowing it will come right with commitment. Courage would make it fun in the process with a reward at the end!”

And to Greatness, I asked, “What would Greatness look like here?” And the answer came back: “Greatness would be looking expansively, out into the future without fear, with excitement — a broad and open embracing of all things.”

And Simplicity? How would Simplicity act here? Simplicity answered: “Simplicity would, as always, slow it down, keep it simple by stripping away the unnecessary. Being present is Simplicity’s way. Beautiful in its simplicity, child-like in its innocence.”

And finally to Grace I asked: “How would Grace be here?” And Grace answered: “Ah, Grace! Grace dances in the moment. In this moment and then the next, accepting all and without judging. Grace gives permission for the full wonder of it all. Along with all the broken bits too! Grace does not judge. Grace grants freedom, holding it all in generous acceptance. Grace is forgiveness, acceptance, wonder and faith all in one.”

And so that is it. A way of living by values: Choosing in the now from a set of values when given a voice. As a way of behaving, of acting.

It’s making a difference.

It might for you also!