| "What is the use of a house if you haven't got a | | | | It stands to reason then that we determine our values |
| tolerable planet to put it on?" Henry David Thoreau | | | | first to help us clarify and confirm what it is that is truly |
| Values are so important because they fundamentally | | | | important in life for us. The question of values is often |
| shape our relationships, our behaviors, our choices, and | | | | overlooked, too, because it seems such a huge and |
| who we are. So, without knowing what our values are, | | | | impossible question to answer. The word "values" is so |
| it is actually impossible to create the lives we want | | | | easily and loosely used, but when I ask friends and |
| because there is no foundation to build them on. Many | | | | others "So what are your values?" they come up |
| of us cannot understand why we do not reach certain | | | | tongue-tied almost every time. In fact they do not fully |
| goals as we are determined, diligent, have a lot of | | | | understand what a value is. Values and goals often |
| willpower and really do want to reach our dream. On | | | | get mixed up too. It is true! It is a difficult task, but with |
| the other hand sometimes we do reach our goals yet | | | | guidance and direction this can be exciting, extremely |
| still feel empty and unfilled. Why is that? I believe it is | | | | enlightening and liberating.Where does one start? We |
| because we have made goals based on outer | | | | can start right at the beginning by asking |
| appearances, what others want for us or what we | | | | thought-provoking questions. Questions of Value may |
| think we want or should want for ourselves. The goals | | | | include such questions as: |
| in essence do not match with what our heart wants. | | | | What do my values need to be for me to be the |
| So much emphasis is placed on making goals and | | | | person I want to be? What do my values need to be |
| reaching them, but not too much is said about values. I | | | | for me to have an impact on all those I meet? What |
| suggest that if values are not determined and in place, | | | | values need to change that will support me in achieving |
| making goals and achieving them will prove worthless. | | | | my greatness? |
| Goals that are achieved without a core foundation | | | | These are but a few, but if we start asking ourselves |
| leave us feeling empty every time because the goals | | | | the "right" questions, we are very likely to come up |
| and achievements are not in alignment with whom we | | | | with the "right" answers. |
| really are. | | | | |