Your Values

Personal values are the traits and behaviors you cherish. These values guide your decisions across all areas of your life, including work, relationships, and personal growth.

Identifying your values enables you to align your life with what truly matters to you, empowering you to create a fulfilling existence!

At one point, I believed my value lay in success, which I equated with wealth and status. As a child, I witnessed how these could dramatically alter my family's circumstances. My father experienced a challenging childhood; losing his parents at a young age and returning from war with nothing.

He struggled immensely, unable to even afford a warm meal. Without money or friends, he felt invisible. Unfortunately, this often led to mistreatment.

However, ten years later, through relentless hard work, he transformed his life, gaining both fortune and respect. I admire his unwavering determination. As his circumstances improved, so did our lives, and we began to experience privileges we once lacked.

This ingrained the belief in my mind that success equated to wealth and power. Thus, I pursued money and status, thinking securing a high-paying job would be my ticket to fulfillment.

I was able to buy the things I once longed for, yet it dawned on me that true contentment and fulfillment cannot be purchased. Their cost far exceeds any currency.

The more I earned, the more I desired. This led me into a relentless cycle of earning and spending, which felt far from a true life. While money can be a component of success, it shouldn’t solely define it.

For me, success is a journey of self-discovery—a commitment to harness my potential to serve the world. In essence, success means responding to my inner callings.

Many other values can be prioritized, such as discipline, honesty, resilience, and compassion. Reflect on their significance in your life and make a conscious effort to align your actions with them.

Your Why

Your ‘WHY’ represents your purpose—the driving force that brings you fulfillment. It is the work you can dedicate yourself to for a lifetime, regardless of external validation.

When I contemplate my ‘WHY,’ I think about my strengths, what I can contribute, and how it benefits others. For me, it always circles back to writing. Whether it's my profession or not, I know I would pour my heart into it, even as the last person on earth!

Writing gives my life meaning and purpose. If my words can touch just one person, that’s enough for me.

Discovering your purpose often requires deep reflection. This process can be overwhelming, sometimes leading to a crisis. But I believe that confronting these questions early on allows for greater preparation and contribution in the long run.

Your Fears

Humans are born with two fundamental fears: the fear of falling and loud noises. The rest are often social or self-imposed.

Many of my fears arise from my deep-seated human needs—to be accepted and loved. These needs are so crucial that I find myself overly concerned with how I am perceived—wondering if I’m enough in various aspects: capable, wise, successful, or attractive.

I often fear others' negative judgments more than death itself. I dread that my dreams will remain unfulfilled because I think there’s always time to procrastinate. The unknown terrifies me, as it often leads me astray, and maintaining control becomes a struggle.

Moreover, I worry that if I don’t contribute value to my relationships, whether platonic or romantic, I’ll be cast aside.

I fear judgment for expressing my thoughts—I'm not afraid of failing; I fear being laughed at when I do.

These fears hinder me from voicing my opinions, exploring unconventional career paths, establishing boundaries, and taking risks. They prevent me from embracing my authentic self.

I hesitate to take risks, fearing the loss of acceptance and love. Yet, how can these be taken from me if I learn to love myself unconditionally? It may seem extreme to say, but even those who commit heinous acts still deserve love and justice.

Understanding your fears isn't meant to intimidate you further; it's about confronting them directly to reclaim your life.

When these fears arise, I remind myself, "You’re not real." I will continue to affirm this until I genuinely recognize them as illusions rather than my reality.

Closing Thoughts

The journey of self-discovery is ongoing; as you evolve, so do your thoughts and beliefs. Knowing yourself at every stage of growth helps you align with your values and purpose, leading to a more fulfilling life.

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