Let's talk about values.
I realise that a lot of the conflict I have invited into my life recently has been because my values are being challenged. I'm always a little astonished when others don't seem to share them. Funny how although we know we are all individuals, we forget that not everyone thinks like us.
Dr Sam (my absolute guru) is the owner and teacher at the Australian Institute of Holistic Medicine where I studied Nutritional Medicine. He would advise that you surround yourself with like minded people, only read books and magazines that reflected your beliefs, and throw out your television. He would say 'don't read, listen or be around anything that would create angst or stress or challenge your values. He is a gentle buddhist and I so get now what he was saying. Its all about putting yourself and your health first. If you have a choice, then why put yourself through that stress? I haven't had a television for nearly 10 years and haven't missed it. It's easy to get caught up in drama that is nothing to do with you, raises your heart rate and blood pressure - for what? You can't change, control or influence what has happened. It's done.
My values are compassion, kindness, love, honesty, respect and authenticity. These values have been challenged because a few people in my life have been going through their own battles and while going through their individual journeys, they are looking for people to blame, are being dishonest with themselves and with me. Looking at the values list, I'm guessing that maybe their value are success, status and determination. I need to get out of their way!
