Week 2 ~ HLS Challenge

Defining My Personal Values...


Ask me what my 'teacher values' were back when I was teaching and it would be easy... I wrote lists of goals, made action plans, had belief statements, and designed lesson plans.  We were told not to impose our values on the children we taught... I now see that it was kind of silly to try to completely separate values from the classroom, because apart from religious or political beliefs which I tend not to share anyway, those other deeper spiritual values were always going to be underpinning all that I did as a teacher. 


Ask me what I value in a relationship, and I could answer that quite quickly after going through a process a few years ago to come up with my "LIST" of what I was looking for in any future partner. There's nothing like recovering from a train wreck of a relationship to make you question your ability to make sensible major life decisions. And interestingly enough it ended when I finally realised that our VALUES clashed heavily and that they always would!!


But ask me what my core values are now... and then ask me to limit the list to my top 5.... now that's been a real challenge!  After reading a chapter about values in an Anthony Robbins book where he says that he'd be surprised if 1 person in 10,000 could list their top 10 values I started to feel a little better... this is actually supposed to be a challenge!  Friends have been asking me if this process was really that necessary, or if I was having fun agonising over the details ... or telling me that I'm thinking too much.  But there's a part of me that knows that life will have more clarity if I know what my core values are, and my goal has been "PEACE" for a few years now, so clarity is an important factor in achieving that peace.


So what are VALUES?

• Values are those things and processes that we will invest time, energy, money and resources to move towards or away from.
• Values are ever-receding, qualitative goals that can never be fully and finally attained – they point us toward the Infinite.
• Values are the greatest power known to humanity – when they are alive.
• Values have power when we aspire to achieve them – not when we merely understand they are desirable.
• Values come alive when our emotions embrace them – not just our minds.
• Values are an embodiment of higher truth.
• Values are a path to perfection.
• Values channel our energies to express at the highest possible level.
• Values are spiritual skills.

from http://humanscience.wikia.com/wiki/Living_Values_Project

Values are core beliefs or philosophies that are meaningful,  and whether we are aware of them or not, we all have them.  Sometimes they are buried deep inside, formed during childhood and left unexamined for years.  Whether we like it or not, they are shaping the choices and decisions we make, and guiding and motivating our attitudes and actions, and determining how we treat ourselves and others.  So it makes sense to me to know what my values really are so that I can begin to move through life with some clarity and meaningful direction.  If I am clear about what I REALLY value, then decision making should be much simpler.  


"All temporal human values and life values derive from 12 eternal values of existence which constitute the characteristics or properties of pure spiritual consciousness: Infinity, Eternity, Silence, Peace, Unity, Truth, Goodness, Knowledge, Power, Beauty, Love and Bliss."
http://humanscience.wikia.com/wiki/Spiritual_origin_of_values

My values are based on the faith that there is a spiritual principle, meaning or reason behind everything, but has all this thinking, reading and analysing helped me get any closer to my top 5? Maybe.  I've cheated a little by using 5 of the 'eternal values of existence' as overarching higher spiritual values that encompass my 'favourite' personal values...


Love ~  empathy, compassion, loyalty, fidelity, kindness, forgiveness, family, respect (for self, environment, belongings, life, others)


Unity (Oneness) ~ tolerance, acceptance, equity, diversity, co-operation, consideration, social justice


Truth ~ integrity, honesty, trust


Peace ~ clarity, simplicity, gratitude, serenity,  tranquility


Knowledge (Learning) ~ curiosity, wonder, creativity, resourcefulness, clear thinking, problem solving, imagination, wisdom


So there they are...  for now...

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Week 1 - Home Life Simplified Challenge

OK... so Week 1 of the HLS Challenge is about finding the positives from 2011...

Why am I finding this so hard?  I'm a perfectionist at heart, and always find it way easier to see all the things that aren't working, and the things that need improving, editing, changing, moving, cleaning and fixing.

So I've let the question sit at the back of my mind for the last few days, and I've tried not to stress about finding the right answers.

Here's what I've come up with, and it's been a bit of a surprise for me...

1. The transition to Kindy for TJ was a whole lot smoother than any of us anticipated.  After 4 years of separation anxiety I was expecting some resistance from him, and was prepared to do the "quick exit, no looking back" routine if necessary.  The exact thing I used to recommend to parents when I was teaching and had reluctant school beginners.  But it wasn't necessary.  Woohoo!  So all the preparation & playgroup in the same setting paid off... that was the clear winner for 2011 for me.

2.  There was the transition for him to his own bed too... another HUGE milestone that he decided would be achieved when he turned 4.  And he did it!

3.  The BIG move for my partner was and continues to be a success for all of us... he moved here from interstate to start a new life here with us after a 12 month long distance relationship... HUGE transition and changes for all of us in all areas of our lives, but truly the best thing we could have done.

4.  I started my Letting Go of Clutter Finding Peace Facebook page & blog... both have been HUGE successes on many levels, for me to share my stuff "out loud",  for the people who have found inspiration there, and for the new friendships made through cyberspace.

5.  I've reinvented & rediscovered my "Precious Gorgeous" creativity... registered the business name, and I'm getting a bit more serious.

6.  I did a couple of great workshops early last year with Soli of "Journal Junky".  In particular the Vision Board Workshop was fabulous... it really helped me define what I was working towards.... I think I might need to make another one for this year.

I'm sure there must be more, but I'm happy with this list for now!

Happy New 2012

I have no idea how to translate the current 40.5'Celcius into the old measurements, but I know it's bloody hot!  Very bloody hot.  


And here I am sweltering under the back verandah in the New Year's Day heat, writing this blog while the 4 year old is in his paddling pool under the walnut tree, hose running on the vegie garden to try to keep things alive, and sweat running down my back and down my face... oh the joys of parenthood, and hot days, and sleepless nights while others spent the night with music blaring... how do I know?

That'd be because I was wide awake for most of the night, my peace was shattered by the thump thump of the bass from party music at least a street away... and it was still going at breakfast time this morning, only stopping when either the Police were called, or the partygoers finally gave up & went... I don't know or care where they went, bed, home, jail... wherever.  All I cared was FINALLY the thumping in the neighbourhood stopped.  And that was waaaaaaay before the thumping in my head stopped!


Anyway, back to the story... it's hot, damn hot.  It's apparently one of the hottest New Year's Days that we've had here in Adelaide for around 100 years.

I'm off to mop my brow and crunch on ice cubes... and be very very grateful for airconditioning!

Happy New 2012!