What is important to me

I have but one new years resolution and that is start writing a weekly blog entry. Short or long, on topic or off, I realize how therapeutic writing is especially if it is from the heart. The hard part for me is starting to write especially if I don't have a topic or feeling to write about. When I start it just comes and is easy so I must learn to trust myself. That would be a good article wouldn't it?

Today I decided to write about the things that are important to me. This is not a New Year's resolution. I have had a habit of writing goals for myself every year. I used to write goals for my personal life and work. It is a wonderful exercise I recommend for everyone. Just take 30 minutes and think about what is important to you be it personal, work, or family and think about what you would like to accomplish. I would write a list of 5-7 things and place them in my wallet. I would take them out and look at them a few times a year. I am always amazed at how many of these things were accomplished or achieved or came into being. We don't realize the power of our subconscious. I guess the act of thinking and writing would engrave the goals in my subconscious and I would unknowingly seek to meet or achieve them.

In a round about way this brings me to today's topic. About six months into my new job I came to a crossroads with my manager. Without going into details it caused me to question myself and to look at myself to see if I needed to change something about myself. Part of the process as recommended by him was to take a personality test. I've done them before so this was not new. I also searched the Internet for information on my personality type. As part of this self-discovery process I decided to take a deep look at my values. Values are things that are important to you. What you value governes your actions and behaviors. Values can change over time but for the most part your core values only change when you decide to take inventory of your behavior. In essence, values are like a computer program. The program runs automatically in the "background" if you will. Unless you are willing to take a look at your values the program continues. Now, we all have values whether we are conscious of them or not. However, not everyone can tell you what they are. Without knowing your values then how can you begin to know yourself?

Identifying your values is like taking a journey. There are plenty of Web sites you can go to find some kind of structure. You can also start by writing words that have meaning to you. I combined a little from a Website to get started then went my own direction from there. Below are my core values and a short definition to help you understand them. These 12 virtues were derived from a list of 38.

Faith: This is a sincere heartfelt faith and trust in God and in mankind

Family: Who I am starts with God and is supported by those who love me and demonstrate that love everyday

Generosity: Giving from the heart to all who have need without judging motivation

Acceptance: Of everyone I come in contact with, of God's love for me when I or others judge me as unworthy, Of things I don't control

Thankfulness: Of God's love and the people he has placed in my life

Thoughtfulness: Slow to speak and quick to listen so that I speak the truth in love

Sincerity: Be true to who I am and these values. Be myself at all times regardless of who I am with

Wisdom: Wisdom starts with the knowledge of God and walks hand in hand with Thoughtfulness

Diligence: There is no substitute for hard work

Open Mindedness: Have the wisdom and faith to listen to others opinions, beliefs, or point of view without letting fear stop you from listening

Justice: One of the most important virtues for all of mankind. God created us in his image and no human should be treated with a lack of dignity by man or laws. It is worth fighting and dying for.

Integrity: All of life and faith is supported by truth. The Bible says "You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free. We live in a world of fantasy and deception and the truth seems to be hidden

So there they are. Now, the risk of making your values known publicly is that people can judge you by them. Well, they are going to judge you anyway so don't let that stop you. One of my values mentioned earlier in this blog was to reveal myself to my children. Well this is part of letting my children know who I am. I hope it helps them understand me and possibly serve as some kind of example (good or bad) for them to consider.

To know yourself is to know the truth about yourself. In doing so you shall come to a knowledge about the truth of who you are and hopefully this truth will set you free and possibly those who care about you too.

Seek the truth at all cost and sell it not......