In my last post, I had several women contact me to let me know they were #drowning in the chaos created by their pursuit of #balance.
In response, I've written this post with one of my most-valued mentors (and my aunt), Susie Shanlian. We're sharing how an individual AND a family can live a life based on VALUES. To clarify what a #value is, here's a definition:
"A person's principles or standards of behavior; what is important in life."
The first step is to become aware of the values you care about as an individual,
Then to define the values you care about as a family unit,
Then you and you family can make choices to create boundaries.
#Boundaries will ensure you and your family live a purposeful life, rather than one "blown and tossed by the wind" (James).
The word #boundary is NOT popular today. It's seen as an infringement on self. It is. You bet. 100%. If you're a #Christian, then you are aware that your self is being transformed. I'm a work-in-progress. That self of mine is in the process of DYING. I'm working with the Holy Spirit to KILL it, so Christ's image in me can reflect in the unique way God created. (I highly suggest you look up all the self-hyphenated words in an old dictionary book. There are convicting.)
Boundaries or self-control or parameters forge freedom. An oil artist needs the canvas boundaries to create. Children explore if boundaries exist on a playground, but they scrunch up in the middle if boundaries don't exist. Everything needs boundaries. Even Jesus.
Step One: Read the resource below on how Jesus set boundaries and highlight the ones you need to do immediately.
Step Two: Use this PDF to identify the top ten values you have as an individual. Then learn what they mean. Define how they look when in action. (We've left blanks for the ones you may come up with on your own.)
Step Three: Have your spouse do the same.
Step Four: Narrow them down to #family_values. (Ten is a nice round number, but there's no rule.) Spend time defining them together. Explore what the look like in action to each other, the world outside, etc.
Step Five: Celebrate them. Get a poster made on Etsy. Make a "family values" tree. Frame them. Write them on a chalkboard that everyone sees. Get creative.
Step Six: Live them. Use them to compliment each other when you see them demonstrated.
Step Seven: Revisit them. Different seasons bring different resources which impact values. Values aren't set in stone - they're written on a heart.
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An excellent source on Jesus and the ways he set boundaries: https://www.soulshepherding.org/jesus-set-boundaries/
PDF of Values to get you started: https://www.dropbox.com/s/cnbj2eeshisxe68/Values%20List%202019.pdf?dl=0
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