Why Values Matter

Are You Living Your Values?

We often think of our values as foundational – ever-present aspects of who we are. But what if they're not as readily apparent as we believe?

Consider "balance." Many of us strive for it, whether in work-life balance or living harmoniously with nature. However, are we truly living this value, when we rush out the door to commute to work, absent-mindedly eat our lunch at our desk, and take for granted how those vegetables ended up on our plate at dinner?

A Compass to Ourselves

Disconnecting from our values creates a disconnect from ourselves. However, when we consciously examine our values, they become our compass. They are the core truths that guide us in the deepest sense.

Colorado poet laureate and all around badass inspiration, Andrea Gibson, shares this advice from their friend Ethel:

You will never make anybody's life better by agreeing to not be yourself. Denying who you are will never bring any other person true peace. Though it may not seem so from the outside, every soul in the universe is invested in every other soul living inline with their truth. Therefore, anyone asking you to live in opposition to your essence, to who you really are, is not speaking from their soul. They are speaking from their learned biases, hatreds, and fears. So to be you is not only to be the guardian of your own spirit, but also to be the guardian of the spirits of those who mistakenly think their lives would be better if you'd agree to be someone other than who you are (Instagram May 6, 2024).

Mmmm… yes, we are guardians of our spirits, so may we be awakened to our values in deep and meaningful ways, thus being and doing in aligned ways and living our truths!

Embrace Your Values

So, are you living your truth? It's a question worth asking regularly. By nurturing a deeper connection with your values, you can make choices that lead to a more fulfilling and authentic life.