Today I want to share something very meaningful to me.
I have written this piece of prose years ago, in French. I translated it recently and I still feel at peace when I read it. When I share it with someone, I still feel that I share a lot about myself, how I manage relationships with people around me, and, mostly about my personal values.
What is a personal value?
“A value or belief is a trust or conviction — a feeling, idea, or opinion — about a principle, standard, or aspect of life that is considered to be true, desirable, and inherently worthwhile. Whether or not we are consciously aware of them, every individual has a number of personal values. Values can range from the commonplace — the belief in hard work, self-reliance, and punctuality — more psychological values, such as concern for others, trust in others, and harmony of purpose.”Patrick William and Diane S. Menendez. (2007) Becoming a professional life coach. pp. 216–17 **
I know why this piece of prose is about my personal values: even more than 20 years later, it still sounds profoundly true and valid to me. It does not mean I always act this way with people around me. Some of them would eat me raw if I behaved according to these values all the time. I have learned to protect myself (and my inner self too) in society. Though, when I need to trust someone as much as he/she needs to trust me, during coaching sessions, by example, I drop the day-to-day armor and I show some vulnerability, as a sign of good faith. It served me well up to now… People usually respect integrity. To show yourself as you really are is part of integrity.
Enough said for the moment; let’s listen to the poet in me. Please, do not forget: I still write with my French Canadian accent. So forgive me the passive voice and so and so.
