restore: values

 why values for restoring?

(photo by Robert Theimann, Unsplash.com)

Why indeed? The bottom line, for me anyway, is that living by my values gives me peace, and that peace restores me. 

When I was a young Mum, my main concern for my two children was that they were happy and healthy. So this was a prominent value that I lived by. Wheat germ, yoghurt, sprouts, juices, smoothies, lots of happy play and care, in abundance.

But, yeah, right. As if a parent can control their childrens' destiny as they go through life. 

Then as a much older Mum (honestly I thought at the time that I was probably the oldest Mum in the hospital giving birth), I realised that it was so important to add the values of other things that would enable a child, as they became an adult, to have a life where their values would guide them. Because we cannot control our destiny, nor fate.

All three of my children - I sincerely hope that I gave, or inspired, some values in them, each to their own unique nature. I know that they had their own special values, for which I am so proud.

our values make us feel good. When we live by them, that is.

they can, and do, restore us.

I like to do a values "audit" whenever things aren't their best, or I am run down. Some years ago, I was going through a very difficult time, and as I looked at my life, I realised that I had not been living true to my values. I thought that I had been, but when I had a closer look - umm, no. And I just wasn't feeling good, on any level.

As soon as I stopped doing whatever it was (and I'm so not saying as it will hurt others' feelings, but it was to do with my professional life), and just so you know, it wasn't bad, no not at all. Not in the slightest. I don't do "bad". But it was not in accordance with me and what I stood for. Anyway, to continue that sentence.... my life improved one hundred percent, just by returning to what I stood for by word, by deed, by heart. 

So, yes, with restore - what needs a little tweek with my values? In an honest evaluation. 

our heart holds the key

I would always say that our heart is our guide with values. And this in turn affects our feelings which then affect our mind - then the body. Like a perpetual circular motion. 

We can either have peace, or not feel good about ourselves.

I choose peace. 

What do you think of this?

** you might also like this post from my yoga blog about my values with teaching yoga

** and this post about values and also about teaching yoga

** as well as this post about affluence and economy