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Life Compass: Defining Values

Ask yourself what you want from life and what you want to stand for, and write it down. It's important not to think too much about what our culture, society , family, or other people think you or how they think you "should" or "must" live your life. Your values are yours. Below are some examples

RELATIONSHIPS

What's important to you when it comes to how, when, and with whom you connect- family, lovers, finds and the people you see every day:

  • Being open and vulnerable

  • Living a quiet life, not rocking the boat

  • Showing appreciation in relationships

  • Being able to appreciate the good things in life

  • Reaching out to other people

  • Being generous

  • Taking responsibility, trustworthy

  • Loving and cherishing someone

  • Listening without prejudice

  • Being open and receptive to people's help and care for me

  • Being taken care of

  • Respecting other's differences

  • Giving someone freedom

  • Being honest

  • Being courageous

  • Letting go of being right

HEALTH

What's important to you when it comes to physical exercise, eating well, and healthy habits? If you could lead the life you dream of, how would you live and act in this area? What would you have to do to cherish your body and spirit? 

  • Listening to my body

  • Giving my body healthy exercise

  • Exploring spirituality

  • Valuing spending time alone

  • Prioritizing myself

  • Simple living

  • Taking care of my body by eating healthy foods

  • Prioritizing a good night's sleep

  • Accepting and loving my body despite its limits

  • Stopping smoking

  • Following a manageable daily routine

  • Valuing time off to rest and recharge

LEISURE TIME

What's important to you when it comes to leisure time: hobbies, alone time, spirituality, or community involvement? If you could have everything you had ever dreamed of, how would you live and act in this area?

  • Personal liberation

  • Exploring Spirituality

  • Being in touch with nature

  • Discovering new places

  • Finding new ways to relax

  • Experiencing a sense of wonder

  • Growing as a person

  • Challenging myself creatively

  • Challenging myself physically

  • Seeking Adventure

  • Enjoying reading

  • Prioritizing time with friends

WORK/EDUCATION/VOLUNTEERING

What's important to you when it comes to work, education, self-realization, and developing new skills? If this could include everything you have ever dreamed of for this part of your life, what would you want?

  • Evolving

  • Learning new things

  • Challenging myself

  • Working in a balanced way

  • Initiating meaningful meetings

  • Having fun

  • Acting responsibly

  • Letting go of obligations

  • Working creatively

  • Being tru to myself

  • Taking things lightly

  • Being courageous

  • Sticking to a schedule

  • Practicing acceptance

LIFE COMPASS: Write down everything you feel is important in the life you are living now and the things you want to bring into your life.

For Each Value, Write a concrete behavior, which are small actions you can take that represent each of the four dimensions of your life.

Example: HEALTH (dimension)

Value: Listening to my body

Concrete Behavior: Sit down for a minute when I get home. Take Short Breaks, Eat healthier food in smaller portions

** Taken from The Mindfulness & Acceptance Workbook for Stress Reduction, Federick Livheim, FrankW. Bond, Daniel Ek, Bjorn Skoggard Hedensjo

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