Values

Val-ue
-relative worth, merit or importance.
-monetary or material worth.
-import or meaning, force, significance.
-liking or affection; favorable regard
-any object or quality desirable.
www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/value

A value is a principle, standard, quality or belief we consider important or desirable. They are often the core of who we are. Values are unique and will vary from person to person. Once our needs are met, we usually want to express our values. It is more difficult to express our values if our basic needs are not met.

We often value different things, or value the same things in different ways. Our individuality shows through our values. Our values most likely change over our lifetimes, as we grow and change. We, just like our students, learn values as a child in our family and cultural environments. As adolescents and adults, we ‘try on’ different values to see which of those we want to keep, and which we want to let go. Our values influence our behavior, goals and decision-making.

Understanding our own values helps us to be more conscious in our decision-making. Those who can make decisions that are in line with their values (live their values) often live a more fulfilling and satisfied life. When we make decisions that go against or do not honor important values, we are often left feeling frustrated and unsatisfied.

We all bring our own individual values to our professional life. Our values can bring us together or drive us apart. Each organization has values of it’s own (sometimes written, sometimes unwritten). We as individuals need to balance our personal values and how they blend or conflict with our professional work environments. Understanding the values of each other as a staff team can support us in working together on a common goal.

Questions to ponder:
What are your core values?
Do you make decisions based on your values?
When you talk to youth, do you ever ask them about their values?
What values of your are currently not being honored? And what can you do to change that?

-Sandi

The Hammock is a Dangerous Sport

Whaddya know? Falling out of a hammock is a dangerous sport. I found this out recently. I’m an avid fan of hammocks and have previously thought of myself as a semi-professional hammock-er. ? Until recently.

My husband and I went to the Boundary Waters (BWCA) last Thursday with friends on the start of one of my most favorite trips/vacations. We found a great campsite, and even got tents and all set up just before the rain. Then after a nice shower – the sky cleared and we were good to go. My friends set up the hammock, and because it was over a rocky hill, the big guy decided to ‘test’ the hammock to be sure the knots held. He sat in it for nearly a half an hour, swinging and relaxing and I’m nearly drooling with anticipation of pulling out a good book and reading in the hammock. So, after the rain stopped the boys went fishing and I headed straight to the hammock. As I usually do (being a semi-professional hammock-sitter), I tested the hammock by gingerly sitting sideways in it – to test the line. Even though my friend had already sat in it for awhile. It passed the test with flying colors, so I leaned backwards……… and the rope snapped!

I fell backwards even further, and landed hard on the rocky hill spread out as if I were going to make angels in the snow. I even saw stars. And felt a LOT of pain. The back of my head landed on a log and the right side of my back landed on a particularly hard rock that jutted out from the rest. It was a very scary tense time for the next moments afterwards. My hands and feet went numb, I felt a lot of pain, and couldn’t move. Then, I didn’t want to move because of the pain. My husband and friends reacted with amazing speed and grace, and waited until I gave permission to move me to an air mattress on the sand. Luckily, the log I hit my head on was water logged, and there seemed to be no scratches or broken bones anywhere. No blood even! We s-l-o-w-l-y backtracked to our entry point, leaving campsite set up. Being treated at the Grand Marais emergency room is another story.

I’m writing this now, a week later, still moving very slowly as my back is trying to heal. I’ve gotten over the ‘embarrassment’ of telling folks that I got hurt falling out of a hammock. It seems (according to many I’ve spoken to) that this hammock falling actually IS a dangerous sport, and I am not the first to be injured in this way.

It makes me think of how short life really is…..how, regardless of planning; the unexpected happens. I am thankful and consider myself lucky and blessed, as I could have easily snapped my neck or broken my spine. Instead, I have injuries that will heal. I have supportive friends and family. I have had to reacquaint myself with my body. I have had to have help getting out of bed, getting dressed, bathing…..I never realized how much we use our back muscles in our daily motions. Being mindful and being patient with myself and my healing has been extremely helpful and insightful.

What are you especially grateful for in your body? in your life? What part of your body would you have a difficult time without? Which of your relationships are most important to you? How do you find the silver lining on a dark cloud? How often do you visit or call friends who are in pain? Do you allow others to support you? Is it difficult to accept help? Is it difficult for you to ask for help? Do you allow yourself time to heal? Do you pray? Do you allow yourself to be weak in front of others? These are just a few of the questions that run through my mind; questions and comments to share with you. I’m curious to hear your thoughts or questions that arise from reading this. Thank you for allowing me to share this with you.
-Sandi

Back in the saddle….

I’m baaaa-ack! So, after nearly a year reprieve from thinking about blogs, I’m back at it. I’ve decided to continue here with wordpress as well as continuing blogging my thoughts about life and coaching and changes and challenges. I continue to move forward with my business, ¡Adelante Coaching! on a pace that I can handle while I explore other areas of life. I had a successful presentation at this year’s Summer Institute on Adolescent Health hosted by the University of MN and the MN Department of Health: “Youth as Experts: Essential Life Coaching SKills”. I hope to provide some excerpts of that speech here. I also continue to work on my PhD in Professional Coaching and Human Development through the International University of Professional Studies (IUPS.edu). Meanwhile, it’s nearly fall and I go back to work next week to prepare for the high school students starting the following week. If you’re on facebook, look me up as well as looking up my fan page: ¡Adelante Coaching! And, I’m also new to twitter. Let me know if you’re on twitter and I can follow you too: www.twitter.com/sandilindgren
Life is good!
-Sandi