The Foundation of Authenticity: Understanding Your Core Values

Authenticity is a popular buzzword, but how many people actually live authentically? It starts with understanding your core values—because you can't be true to yourself without knowing who you truly are.

To begin your journey toward authenticity, you must first clarify your values and beliefs. Start by making a list of what you believe. At a fundamental level, most people hold core values, whether consciously or unconsciously. Begin by identifying some universal values:

  • Honesty: Even those who may choose to be dishonest often expect honesty from others. This highlights honesty as a core value—one that is desired universally, even when not always practiced.

  • Accountability: Most people value accountability in others, expecting them to take responsibility for their actions. Recognizing this value in yourself can lead to greater integrity in your own behavior.

  • Knowledge and Growth: Lifelong learning and personal development are fundamental to many. If you value gaining knowledge and continuously improving, this is another principle that should make your list.

Reflect and Refine Your Values

Listing your values is only the first step. To truly integrate them into your life, actively reflect on them in your daily decisions and challenges.

When faced with a decision, ask yourself: "Does this align with my core values?" For instance, if you value knowledge, does your career allow you to learn and grow? If you value honesty, do you communicate transparently with others?

This process of reflection helps you uncover even deeper values. For example, while you may initially list honesty as a core value, you may discover that transparency, respect, and integrity are equally important to you. Over time, this list evolves and becomes a clearer guide for your actions.

Living Authentically with Your Core Values

Core values are not just words on a page—they are the foundation of who you are. They shape your decisions, guide your behavior, and determine how you show up in the world. When you understand and live by your core values, you create a strong sense of self and a consistent, authentic identity.

#PersonalDevelopment #Authenticity #CoreValues

Gratitude Proceeds to Happiness, and It Is Required If We Want to Achieve It →

By Brent M. Jones

Gratitude is the quality of being thankful. It results in being willing and ready to show appreciation for and to return kindness. It brings a warm feeling of thankfulness towards the world or specific individuals. The person who feels gratitude is thankful for what they have received and does not constantly seek more. By actively practicing gratitude and focusing on the positive aspects of life, one naturally experiences increased happiness

Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, feel more alive, express more compassion, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.

We will still have negative thoughts, but gratitude will help balance them out. “Gratitude is an emotion that grounds us and is a great way to balance out the negative mindset that uncertainty engenders,” said Dr. Guy Winch, author of the book Emotional First Aid.

The process of feeling grateful compels us to reflect on our relationships. It makes us feel closer and more connected to others, which helps motivate and sustain our efforts at self-improvement. We won’t be able to maintain our efforts for self-improvement without the help of others, and we will fail when we have the wrong motivation. When we're motivated by negative emotions, it is nearly impossible to sustain efforts to change. Is gratitude a soft skill?

Ask a person who is not grateful for the good things in their life, and you will find an unhappy person, but if you teach yourself or that person to understand and learn gratitude, it will become a life-changing soft skill.

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Anonymous.

"Thanksgiving is about Gratitude"