By Janet Kaufman
Recently, in Interfaith’s mental health program, Project Well Being, we asked what qualities we can draw on within ourselves when the going gets tough, when there’s a hard problem to solve, a conflict to resolve, or a relationship that needs tending.
One quality we want to draw on is our values, which are the core aspects of life that matter to us and serve us like a compass, helping to guide us when we need our own guidance. When we’re struggling, remembering these values can ground us and help us find our footing.
Before reading on, take a moment to pause and ask yourself: “What life-sustaining values do I hold close when life gets very challenging?”
In Project Well-Being and Project Recovery, these are some of the core values that people expressed:
Respect
Compassion
Community
Family
Sobriety
Courage
Kindness
Caring
Friendship
Honesty
Integrity
Peace
Maybe these values resonate with you, too. Though each of us faces our own unique situations, as human beings we share common concerns and hold common values. When we remember this, we can be reassured that we are not alone, that others strive for, and yearn for, the same values as we do. When we are struggling, remembering these values can be like seeing the light in a lighthouse on a very dark and rocky shore. They help us re-orient, remember what is most important to us, and find our way by choosing our words and actions in accordance with our values.
So, the next time you find yourself in a quandary, ask yourself: what are the values that are most important to me? What words could I speak and what actions could I take that reflect my values? Perhaps by following our values, we can lead ourselves to new solutions, and to more peace within ourselves.