i happened to re-visit my list of core values today (which can be found here on my website. but for the sake of this post i’m going to list them below).
they’re something i wrote three years ago.
and if there’s one thing i’ve learned about the power of words, it’s that writing-saying-proclaiming them out loud in one of those ways, is so powerful.
even if we don’t constantly come back to their original documentation, putting them out there in the world intentionally is often enough for us to end up embodying their message subconsciously.
i think this because i have to say that despite the fact that this list has been on my website for over a year, it’s on a card that i stick into each and every order i ship out from the shop, and i’ve shared it a few times here and there on social media when i first wrote them, i haven’t especially meditated on them or kept them in the forefront of my mind.
and yet, reading them today, i realized that my life embodies these values.
this is what i live out.
this is my life.
and the pride i have in that, in myself, for bettering my world which includes myself and the people i have the opportunity to come into contact with, is such an incredible thing.
it's so important to think on these things.
to live with an intentionality.
what are your core values?
1. Do everything with Passion.
Do my best in whatever situation I'm presented with.
Stay tremendously interested in things.
Above all point back to my creator in all that I do because He's the source of all things good.
2. Be in a state of constant Exploration.
Seek adventure not just in traveling.
Challenge myself.
Always be willing to learn new things.
Observe the world around me.
3. Love.
Fall in love with people. Their stories. Their uniqueness and individuality. Love them where they're at, wherever that might be.
Fall in love with work. With what I get to do for work. With the process of things.
Be in love with my life.
And above all: Remember what love is.
4. Enjoy the art of the every day.
The simple. The routine. The ordinary. Because there's beauty in all of it.
Live in a state of thankfulness. Have it be a part of my lifestyle, not just a list.
Collect moments not things.
5. Create.
Whether that's knitting a sweater, taking a photo, building a new relationship, or learning how to make really amazing guacamole.
Make more.
And in the making, don't be afraid of failure.
Remember that no great thing is created suddenly.
6. Dream fearlessly.
Do not let the world's standards or definitions of what's possible define who I am, what I want to be or where I want to go.
Have vision and drive for doing and being better.
Never settle. Aim high. Go confidently.
7. Inspire.
Help others discover their dreams and passions by simply pursuing my own.
Pursue excellence.
Encourage and motivate others to be the best that they can be.
8. Be Leney.
Authentic. Confident. Unique. Genuine.
Whether that's the donut obsessed Leney, the avid picture taking Leney, the never not knitting Leney, the Leney who likes to dance to cheesy pop music or the Leney who likes getting on buses alone to find a new adventure at the other end.
Remember that comparison is the thief of joy and to not let my vision of who I want to be obscure my view of who I actually am.