My Values - Deciding what is Important (SYL Week 2)

VALUES

Define your FIVE core personal values.  This is hard and easy at the same time.  I have thought a lot about this over the past 10 days, and below are the results of my thoughts.   My first three values I actually have on a necklace, along with the tree of life to remind me that every day is a new day, and that every day, we should all be living, loving, learning.

LIVING - now this sounds strange at first, but really what it means to me, is living in the moment and accepting that things happen.  You can't change what has happened, but you can acknowledge it and move through it.  If we all keep living I believe we can all become stronger and able to handle whatever life throws our way.  Life is now and is for living!

LOVING - without this, there is nothing.  Simple.  Everyone deserves love.  My M2 comes and tells me all the time that "I love you mum, with all of my heart".  This is so beautiful.  Love can be expressed in so many ways.  A gentle touch, a smile, a helping hand saying thank you.  M1 comes and gives me cuddles and smiles.  Just as beautiful.  Most importantly, loving,  it needs to be dynamic and consistent.

LEARNING - this follows closely behind Loving because without learning, we never improve, create, wonder, ask, question or grow. I am learning everyday.  I want to continue to learn everyday, and then apply this to my living and loving.  My kids are my greatest learning experience to date, and I can not see that changing in the future.

COURAGEOUS - having the courage to follow your convictions and stay true to yourself is hard.  Sometimes people don't like you for the way you think or act.  Or for what you believe. And I mean courageous not courage because someone can have courage - but it takes a courageous person to act on it and live it daily. I am working on this becoming second nature.

HONESTY - like so many simple things, honesty makes the world go 'round.  Sometimes honesty can get me into trouble, so don't be honest to be mean, be honest to be true to yourself.  Nothing more simple than that!

These are what I keep coming back to as my core values. I hope I can do them justice.

2011 - What Went Right (SYL Week 1)

I am taking part in the Home Life Simplified Simplify Your Life 52 Week Challenge.  Week one is about reflecting on what went right in 2011.  What a great idea.  Here are my thoughts (in no particular order) - warning this is a long post..........

• I made a beautiful and life long friendship.  This amazing person came into my life as someone else left, and I have never been so grateful.  Thank you beautiful lady.  I know you and I and our familys' will be friends for many years to come.  You are one of the positive people who lifted me up this year.  And of course my mum and my BFF in Tassie who also helps keep me sane.

• I successfully juggled the home/work/school balance.  Not always perfectly, and not always without one side being up or down more than the other, but I did it well enough to go back and try and do it all again this year.

• My family made me feel happy.  Seeing M1 settle into a class he was happy in and cement some friendships makes my heart feel good.  Also seeing M2 settle so well into day care - this was her first year, made my life so much easier.

• Our backyard helped to bring our family together.  My kids love doing things outside.  M1 is (generally) very good at "teaching" his little sister (M2) how to play cricket, soccer, climb a tree etc.  Watching and participating with them in these activities brought us all together - and without even having to leave home.

• Lying in my husband's arms always makes me feel at peace, and I needed him more than ever throughout this year.  He is my rock and my soul mate.  He understands me, tolerates me, supports and encourages me.  He also laughs at me too - which is sometimes just what I need. 

• Going to the gym and exercising helped fill my tank.  So did going to "Book Club" and cooking with my children.  So did taking part in the "Happy Place Challenge" with Nathalie from Easy Peasy Kids.  Happy moments are everywhere.  We just need to let them in.

• Starting this blog made me feel excited and helped keep me focused on the good things going on all around me.  It also gave me a place to vent and be able to let go of negativity.

• I have learnt that I am strong and capable - and for that I am grateful.  I have connected better with M1, which for me is a constant challenge.  But it has been better than it ever has before and I believe it will only continue to get better.

So looking back, there are lots of positive things that went on through 2011.  And really when I read back over this list, it is just the tip of the iceberg.  And one very smart lady once said "re-frame" your experiences and you will see there can be rainbows everywhere.  Keep embracing the Ordinary!