module 4
where do you stand?
Bringing in values
So here is the key question: who do you want to be in the midst of all this? What’s important to you and the way you conduct yourself through this time?
So when you notice fear, anxiety and panic coming up because you don’t know what the future will hold. Remember: none of us know. We have never known. This is part of the ride of life. And although it’s really scary right now, we can always come back to: what is the choice I want to make in this moment? Who do I want to be? And what’s the best I can do in this present moment?
Hopefully this takes us full circle - that some of the tools you have from module one (breathing, relaxation, a routine that allows you to find joy, meaning and allows you to keep up with life’s necessities too) might just be what you need in this moment. And if it’s something else, that’s okay too.
All we can do is make the most of this present moment, because it’s the only moment we have (the past is already gone. The future hasn’t happened yet) and we don’t know what’s next.
Our values can guide our actions because they are like the points on a compass - they act as a guide about the direction we want to go in life. The point on the compass does not signify a destination, but does tell us the general direction we are headed. In the same way, our values of being compassionate toward others or experiencing joy in life can guide our decisions, but we can never tick them off a list. Goals are the achievements we can tick off, but values are points on the compass that help us choose our way.