Be One of Your Values

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron still pays big dividends for my accountability partner and me. We are on our third time through and all the way to Week 10. This round will forever be known as Deep Waters.

I read the first paragraph about recovering a sense of self-protection and spun off into a flurry of tarot readings.

If you’ve followed my journey, you know that tarot helps me articulate feelings, concepts, or inklings I can’t yet understand or quantify. I have lived life nearly blind to myself.

I get certain repeat advice or insight:

·         Stop abandoning yourself.

·         Stand by your values.

·         Choose from your authentic self rather than to please or out of obligation.

·         Release control of your creativity and fullest self-expression.

Fear, worry, defeat, futility, love with wisdom—you get the idea.

I then use the tarot results to journal. I assessed and decided my core values years ago. Honesty with myself and others is prime. And, as I’m moving from self-consciousness to self-awareness, this one will be a lifetime practice and expansion. Genuine connection, justice, equity, and human rights are up at the top too. I was confused, as I’m not sure how I don’t choose in alignment with my values.

Then, I wondered, if I was going to name my values today and I wasn’t influenced by how others consider or speak about values, what do I value most?

·         Mental health and well-being

·         Physical health, movement, and balance within my nature and nature

·         Emotional development, regulation, empathy, and passion

·         Spiritual actualization and creative self-expression

·         Financial responsibility and prosperity

·         Love with wisdom, nourishing connection, honest communications, and balanced giving and receiving in relationships

·         Nurturing myself and others in balance

·         Knowing my most expansive self and living in alignment with who I am

·         Assertiveness, beauty, and everything belongs/has value

I value myself now. I am important to me. I’m included in the decisions I make—not an afterthought.

Balanced self-protection considers you in the equation.

Today I asked, how do I best nurture myself today?

·         Feel into a creative project.

·         Plan or go on an artist date.

·         Snuggle and nap with dogs.

·         Make hard-boiled eggs to have ready.

·         Marvel at a single daisy and watch how it dances in the breeze with the others.

·         Track incoming and outgoing finances and adjust as needed.

·         Blog.

·         Sing a song and drum.

·         Follow curiosity.

·         Chat over coffee.

·         Listen to music and watch the Irish sky.

·         Write a letter to Aunt Mary.

·         Send a meme that conveys I see and love my adult child.

·         Pull weeds and get my hands dirty.

It’s not selfish to nurture yourself. When I nurture myself, I don’t get behind, over-extended, or exhausted. I’m able to be fully present in my work, in my relationships, and my decisions. Everyone wins.

Are you one of your values?

Love from Ireland,

Cathleen,

P.S. Are you ready to see what your world would be like with more of you in it? Check out Plot Your Life VIP sessions and receive a free bonus of your choice. It all begins with you. Or, maybe you want a 3-month forecast reading for a steal ($25)? Both offers are good through August 31, 2024. In the meantime, nurture what you intend to grow.