Embracing Values: Guiding Our Paths with Intention

How are you, my friend? So, here we are at the final chapter of our acceptance journey. In today's chapter, let's focus on identifying our values. These are the values we believe in, not those influenced by external factors. We will do a simple activity to reflect on our experiences, we will also pay a visit to our future self. Knowing our values is important as they guide us in making decisions. Today, we'll explore how these values can become guideposts to help us shape our desired life.

The Tale of the Crab and the Ocean

I remember a story I read sometime back. There was a crab who was walking along the shore of the ocean. The crab was delighted to see the beautiful patterns its feet left in the sand. Suddenly, a wave of ocean swept in and washed everything away. The crab, feeling a mix of loss and betrayal, confronted the ocean, Hey man, I thought we were friends and that you would support me, but you just washed away my beautiful footsteps. Why would you do that to me? The ocean responded I did it to protect you. I realised you were so focused on the path that you couldn’t see a crab hunter coming along this way. I saw him from a distance by erasing your steps. I saved you from danger. Sometimes, what seems like an act against you is an act in your favour.

This story reminds me to look beyond immediate perceptions and appreciate the deeper intentions behind someone’s actions towards me. Like the crab, I may not always understand the why at that moment, but there may be a greater purpose at play.

Reflecting on What Truly Matters

Now, let’s dive into our own lives. Think about the values that give meaning to your life, the values that satisfy your soul, the values that go beyond the surface goals defined by societal standards. I am not talking about just aspirations like earning more or achieving status. I am talking about the ones that influence and guide our decisions - it may be integrity, compassion, or resilience.

Let me ask you a few questions so we can go deeper. Don't rush to answer the questions, pause for some time, absorb them and write the answers somewhere.

What do you honestly care about?

Which values inspire your day-to-day actions?

When you imagine leaving a legacy, what aspects of your character do you want to be remembered for? 

A Birthday Reflection

Now we are going to use the answers we gave above to identify what our future self relates to. Picture yourself celebrating your 75th birthday.

Who do you see around you?

What stories do they tell about you?

More importantly, do these stories resonate with the values you cherish?

This isn't just a daydream—it's a powerful visualisation technique that can guide the decisions you make every day.

Committing to Our Values

Realizing our values in everyday actions is not always easy & straightforward, but profoundly rewarding. Here are a few practical steps to ensure your daily life reflects your deepest values:

1. Identify Key Values: From the story I have shared today, can you identify the three core values that resonate most with you? Whether they may be compassion, integrity, or courage, pinpoint these.
2. Daily Reflections: Spend a few minutes every evening to reflect on actions you have taken during the day. Ask yourself, Did my actions today reflect my core values? This simple question can redirect misplaced efforts and reinforce your commitment to living in alignment with your values.
3. Set Small, Actionable Goals: If one of your values is generosity, plan a small act of kindness every day. It could be as simple as complimenting someone, offering your time to help a colleague, or donating to a cause you care about.
4. Review and Adjust: At the end of every week spend some alone time with yourself, and review your actions. Celebrate the successes and adjust where necessary. This continuous feedback loop will strengthen your commitment and gradually mould your lifestyle around your values.

Closing Thoughts

As we conclude this series, remember the lesson from our crab and the ocean: what might sometimes seem like setbacks are often steps toward safeguarding our meaningful journeys. The footprints we leave are not just made in the sand. Sometimes they also impact the lives we touch, shaped by the values we manifest.

Your Turn to Reflect

How has this journey of acceptance and understanding your values affected you? Share your reflections and how you plan to align your future actions with your deepest values. Your insights enrich our community and inspire others to look inward and move forward with the purpose.