What do you value?

When I was younger I placed ALOT of value on material items. I always thought a new car, better clothes, a nice house with beautiful furniture would make me happy. Having those things in life can make life easier; however, it will not make you happy. I have sat in the Nordstrom dressing room crying because my life was miserable and buying the clothes did not make me feel any better. In fact I have been miserable in some of the most beautiful places. That is because I did not recognize what was truly valuable in this world and I did not realize that happiness comes from within.

Something that I now place value on is peace. When I am not worried about the things I do not have or worrying about other people's problems then I am a lot happier. I used to spend most of my days worrying about things that never even happened or rushing around from one meeting to the next and trying to meet deadlines. I would also spend a lot of my time worrying about things that did not concern me or just outright gossiping. This did not bring me peace, in fact all of this behavior stressed me out. I am truly at peace when my mind is relaxed and I am not thinking of all the things that could or could not happen to me. When I don't have to rush around and live my life my with calendar full of meetings and obligations that someone else has set for me. Think about how you feel when you are on vacation. On vacation you are not rushing around and you are also not caught up in everyone else's drama back home. We can experience this peace everyday if we let go of some of the things causing us stress. We don't need to spend time getting overly involved in problems that are not our own, nor do we need to spend most of the day worrying about things that will probably never even happen. During the work week we all have work obligations but on Friday at quitting time, go into vacation mode.

"Dedicate yourself to the good you deserve and desire for yourself. Give yourself peace of mind. You deserve to be happy. You deserve delight." - Hannah Arendt

Another thing that I really value in life is love. This isn't just the romantic love I am speaking of, this is the love received and given by all people in my life on a daily basis. It took me along time to realize just how much I was loved and by how many people. One of the things that brings me the most joy in my life is when one of my children, nieces or nephews comes up and hugs me. This is love in its purest form. I've also challenged myself to give love and be open to receiving love from important people in my life. (I know this comes as a shock to someone who once told me I put up thick walls) Instead of spending time gossiping and complaining with friends, I now give my friends compliments and spend time planning cool activities together. In turn, my friends give love back and I hope they also do the same with other people.

I challenge everyone to really pay attention to the interactions in their life. Are you sending out love to the important people in your life on a daily basis? Do you acknowledge the loving statements and loving actions directed towards you?

"Love one another and you will be happy. It is as simple and as difficult as that." -Micheal Leunig

Finally, there is finding the joy in the little things in life. It's not the big things that make our hearts happy, it's the little things in life. The small things to be thankful for everyday. An unexpected phone call from a friend, a kind word from a stranger, or something as simple as slowing down and really enjoying the food you are eating. When your mind is at peace and you recognize all the love in your life then it is a lot easier to find joy in the little things.

This is nothing new, just a simple reminder of what truly is valuable in life.