I was recently asked to write down 21 core values that I possess. Things I would want to pass down to my future children.. I'm obviously not perfect and don't wear all of these traits on my sleeve in each moment of my life, but these are the things I strive to be, and that I feel are most important. Core values should guide each decision we make, and when we live them, it is so much more difficult to become lost or make a choice that is deeply hard to come back from. This is the kind of person I want to be.
1. Honesty - own my messes and never pretend to be something I'm not.
2. Kind-heartedness - be kind ALWAYS. Never put another person down, only build them up.
3. Individuality - be myself. Be true to who I am and don't be afraid to give what I have to offer to the world.
4. Faith - pray, fast, read my scriptures. Have a consistent relationship with God. More than anything recognize that I don't have all the answers, and have FAITH that there is someone out there who has my back.
5. Obedience - be obedient to the commandments that bless my life.
6. Family centered - keep my family at the center of my heart. Show them I care.
7. Good work ethic - do my best in whatever job I am doing. Be positive and make a difference.
8. Health - manage my health by eating many colors of things that grow from the ground. Drink water and don't over do it with the junk.
9. Being active - run, do yoga, lift with Ryan, hike, play.
10. Sticking through with important things - never give up on something good just because it is difficult in the moment. See it through to the end.
11. Creativity - think of new ideas, try and create something new.
12. Humor - be able to laugh at myself and enjoy the funny things in life.
13. Fun - have fun with my friends and my husband. Enjoy my free time.
14. Firmness in standards - never falter from what I know is right. Stand up for myself and others.
15. Service to others - do things to make somebody else's day better. Don't expect anything in return, just do it because I want to.
16. Being able to see the beauty in life - find the beauty in old things, in seemingly unwanted situations, and especially in the earth God created and in others.
17. Humility - have a humble heart and recognize that everything I have comes from God. Thank others for their help and never put myself above anyone else.
18. Patience - stay calm in hard moments. Be patient with myself. Also with those around me.
19. Good friend - do things to show my friends I care. Spend time for them.
20. Loyalty - always stay true to my husband, to my family, my friends, my Heavenly Father, and to myself.
21. Adventurous - be willing to try new things and go to new places and to new heights.