Many of you know I’ve been on this personal growth journey for almost 30 years now.  It’s been a beast at times, for sure. And the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. 

Years ago, probably 20+ years ago, I did a program (I forget the name) and they introduced Core Values to me.  It was the first time I really thought about my core values and how I wanted to really show up in my life. I was in my 20’s so my core values were NOT what they are now.  If I could find the workbook I’m sure my core values had a lot to do with partying and friendship because those were definitely my core values back then. Or so I thought. 

Over the last 10 years, well out of my 20’s and 30’s, I’ve been deeply exploring my core values.  And I teach this core value work to all of my clients. It’s part of the first module in my online course for a reason.  Because when we really understand and start to embody our core values we live our lives with more intention and purpose. And who doesn’t want that? 

I’ve found more and more that women (especially women) haven’t put any thought into their core values and when they do, their lives take off in a new direction. So…. over the next 5 days I’ll be sharing one of my core values with all of you in hopes that it might inspire you to uncover some of your own.  This is deep and beautiful work. I’m happy to share it with you. 

Core Values #1…. Radical Acceptance. 

I was talking to my coach the other day about radical acceptance and how important it is in my life and he woke me up to something.  He said, “You do get that people don’t understand what that means right?” “Um…. They don’t?” I stammered. Radical acceptance has become such a big part of my life and my vocabulary that I feel like it’s something everyone gets.  It’s a ‘yea duh’ to me and I forget sometimes that it’s not a ‘yea duh’ to everyone. 

What I’ve learned in my 30 years of personal growth exploration can all be boiled down to radical acceptance.  Meaning it’s important to me to not only radically accept who I am and love and honor ME, my life, my body, and my choices along this journey, but ALSO to radically accept everyone else around me.  To radically accept every soul whose life I come in contact with exactly as they are even the people who may trigger me, even the ones who have hurt me, even my Mom in her passive-aggressiveness – especially my Mom in her passive-aggressiveness. I need to radically accept my son’s teacher who treats him poorly,  our president and even my husband when he’s enraged. Everyone. Radically accepting people for exactly who they are, brings me peace. It’s a core value of mine because I believe it’s important and critical to our soul’s progression. 

But that’s just ME.  I find peace and freedom in radical acceptance.  I’m sure not everyone does. It’s a big concept to grasp.  I have women who have been working with me for years who still ask me…. “Ok how can I radically accept THIS guy.”  And we work through it. 

Radical acceptance brings me out of this very HUMAN experience I’m having and up and into the soul experience I’m really having.  It helps me see all as ONE. It helps me accept everyone as a soul having a human experience and everyone as having the perfect and right experience that they’re meant to have for their soul’s progression. Too deep for you?  Maybe. And that’s ok because I radically accept you for exactly where you are. 🙂 LOL 

Have you explored your core values?  I’d love to know and to hear what they are if you have.  Reply to this post I’m listening. 

Stay tuned for my second Core Value and how I really live these values and show up with them in life.