How do your values change when you are challenged with chronic illness?
It is a well-known fact that we each have core values that are important to us. AND these values often drive our daily actions and behaviors. And when we do not adhere to these core values, we experience conflict within ourselves. This conflict can produce good forward growth, or it can cause great confusion about who we really are.
Now, add into the mix, an encounter with a chronic illness. How do your values become affected by this sort of crisis in your life?
Let me share my personal experience. . Prior to being hit with chronic illness, I would say that the top five core values that drove my daily decisions and behaviors were:1. Achievement 2. Intelligence 3. Strength 4. Perseverance and 5. Responsibility.
“On the other side of the grief, new values emerged.”
But ALL that changed when chronic illness affected every value I just listed above. You see, I became very LOUSY with achieving anything like I used to, due to chronic fatigue. My intelligence was clouded with symptoms of brain fog and forgetfulness. Strength in the physical sense was declining and ebbed and flowed. I didnʼt feel like I had much perseverance for the things that mattered to me at the time. Finally, responsibilities to my job and family and friends and places I volunteered just were not possible to keep due to my health. These changes brought with them, a huge conflict in myself of who I really was. This was hard for me and I mourned and grieved the loss of these values.
But, on the other side of the grief, new values emerged. These are actually values I am very pleased with. They are the new me and I am no longer conflicted with who I am. My new top five values that emerged were: 1.Compassion 2. Wisdom 3. Generosity 4. Forgiveness and 5. Authenticity.
With life coaching, we can administer a values assessment. We can see if you are experiencing conflict within yourself regarding your core values. And then we can coach you through the conflict, to a beautiful place of freedom to be who you really are. We are here to help you!
LoriJane