"Your governing values should be important enough to you that you will invest your time, resources and energy in making them a fundamental part of your life."
~ Hyrum W. Smith
I have spent a lot of time recently thinking through and identifying values, goals and ideas that are important to me and writing them out into a document that will serve as a guideline for daily life. I've read about mission statements, vision statements and value statements and realized that creating something like this would have value for me. I needed something to look at daily to keep me focused. I knew that this statement needed to reflect what is truly important to me and to principles grounded in truth. The quote from Hyrum W. Smith states well the importance of properly identifying the values important to me.
It makes me feel vulnerable to put these out there because I am so aware of all the ways I have failed in living these out in the past. Yet, it is for that very reason that it so important to me have a clear understanding of what I truly want to live for and to have it written in black and white so that it is readily and easily accessible to review and remind myself of at any time. And, as stated in values 8 and 9, living in community (sharing life) and using what I learn as I follow my passions to enrich the lives of others, is very important to me. So, I'm pushing past my insecurities and putting this out here, sharing this journey with those around me. Here is my Values/Mission/Vision Statement.
Values Statement
1. I live freely, joyfully, exuberantly and creatively; flourishing as I follow God's leading, knowing that He can always be trusted. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
2. My family is my first earthly priority. Important things are loving, laughing, learning and living together, supporting and encouraging each other each day. (Colossians 3:14)
3. Financial success and responsibility is vitally important and leads to the ability to pay what I owe, provide for my family, serve others, and enjoy travel and recreational experiences. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
4. Time is one of my most valuable resources so it must be used wisely. Prayer, careful thought, and proper tools are utilized in this process. (Proverbs 18:9)
5. Physical health is very important to my ability to serve God, family and community, accomplish goals, and enjoy life. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
6. Maintaining a home (inside and out) that is healthy and pleasing to all the senses, creates an atmosphere that helps all who spend time there to thrive. (Isaiah 32:18)
7. Lifelong learning is a way of life that leads to new opportunities, greater mental aptitude and a deeper appreciation of life. (Proverbs 18:15)
8. I enjoy living in community with my fellow(wo)man, young and old alike, and, as we so live, encouraging each other to become the person(s) we were created to be. (Romans 12:5)
9. I pursue my passions of early childhood development, personal development, writing, and living creatively and use these to make a positive impact on the lives of others. (Ephesians 2:10)
10. I enjoy travel, adventure and new experiences and these things contribute richness and depth to the rest of my life. (Psalm 16:11)
I know that with time and as life changes some of the details of this statement may change. But this gives me a place to start, a set of guidelines to keep me moving in the right direction.
In the future I will be sharing a little more on what living out the individual statements means and looks like to me. I'm looking forward to exploring each of these in depth.
If you have a similar statement - whether a mission statement, values statement, vision statement, or whatever else you may call it I would love it if you would share it in the comments.
And, one last thing. A Values Statement should never be one more thing to make one feel pressured, or like a failure if not measured up too. It is not a way of measuring one's worth. It is simply a tool, a personal guideline used to point in the right direction.
"If your self-worth is based on anything other than your relationship with Christ, you are in big trouble."
~Hyrum W. Smith
And, one last thing. A Values Statement should never be one more thing to make one feel pressured, or like a failure if not measured up too. It is not a way of measuring one's worth. It is simply a tool, a personal guideline used to point in the right direction.
"If your self-worth is based on anything other than your relationship with Christ, you are in big trouble."
~Hyrum W. Smith
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