My Core Beliefs and Values

I've done a lot of personal/professional development work over the years. Through the process of reflection, intentional experimentation, and self-imposed accountability I have identified what my core beliefs and values are.

It was hard work! And ever since I wrote them down I do my best to act in alignment with them. When I stray away from emulating them in the way I'd want - I reflect, adjust, and observe. More on that process in a future post :)

You have a set of core beliefs and values too - even if you haven't identified what they are yet. Your beliefs and values are what you refer to when making all your decisions in life.

Your core beliefs are the "truths" that you apply to the world, as you see it. They are not right or wrong, but they are the lens through which you see the world.

Your core values are what you use to determine how you will act in the world. They are influenced by your core beliefs and act as a tool to answer "Am I acting as the person I want to be?"

In this post I share what my core beliefs and values are. My hope is that they help you understand my "Why" and inspire you to notice what your guiding beliefs and values are.

What I Believe to Be True

Everyone's unique story influences their thoughts and actions.

Who we are today is a result of our past actions and experiences...and no two people on this planet have walked the same path. That's pretty awesome, if you ask me.

We may experience the same event as another person, but we have not experienced every other thing leading up to that event which the other person has. Therefore, we may experience the same event ever so differently.

This can be a challenging thing to remember in the moment. Give me time to observe or reflect on why Jinny made that snap comment - it's easier to frame the person and situation in a light where I can react as my best self. In the moment, when Jinny is being a jerk - not so easy.

During my yoga teacher training one of the guest lectures who came to visit gave some simple, sound advice to help in moments where we need to remember this.

Simply tell yourself, "They're doing the best they can."

Everyone is able to change and grow - infinitely.

I believe we are the sum of our experiences and that what's happened to us has an effect, even if only a small one, on all our subsequent actions. That's not to say we're doomed to relive our past experiences - wouldn't that suck!

On the contrary, we have free will and the ability to observe and reflect on our own thoughts - a mental feat unique to us humans. This means we can train ourselves to 'see' the emotions our past experiences trigger and shift the way we're thinking about the current moment.

It was very easy to write those few sentences - it is a whole other thing to train yourself to act in that way...but that's a blog post for another time :)

Trust and loyalty are established when there is mutual respect and love which, once earned, should be cherished and continually reinforced.

We take so much for granted these days. I believe that being to trusted by another person, earning their respect and/or loyalty (as a friend, family member, or partner) is so supremely important, and an honor.

We are so connected all the time, yet we're growing so distant from each other. We're skeptical, afraid, or down right resentful of others. So much of the content we consume is based on proving another person or group wrong, fighting the opposing side, or silencing people who we don't agree with.

When someone trusts, respects, and/or is loyal to you - how can you not cherish that?! How can you not do all that you can to keep that alive and reinforce what seems to be such a rare occurrence these days?

Everything is Possible

There is always a way. Therefore, accomplishing anything is simply a matter of will and determination.

That whole "matter of will and determination" thing is the kicker. You can't accomplish your most wild, audacious, dream just by sitting around thinking about it really hard, yet taking no action.

It's simple, but I honestly believe that anything and everything is possible. Looking at everything that has been accomplished over even the past 100 years... Who's to say what will be accomplished tomorrow?!

Nothing, absolutely nothing, is impossible!

My Core Values

• Love - Imbue it in everything you do!

• Respect - Earn it, demand it, give it.

• Curiosity - Never stop wondering/wandering.