The Rest of Your Story 9: Deeper into your dreams...

To start from part one, click here.

Thank you so much to all of you who shared what a scene from the "happily ever after" version of your life story movie would be like. I'm still wiping away tears!

As we think about our scenes again, let's do a freeze frame and focus in even more closely.

I realized as I read your beautiful comments that those scenes give a pretty clear picture of what you value.

For example, I wrote about finally getting to meet all of you in person because connection is important to me.

When I'm connected, I feel content and as if I'm fulfilling my purpose.

When I'm disconnected, I feel down and directionless.

So think about your scene again and ask, "What does this tell me about what I value?"

(Just to clarify, by "value" I mean what's important to you and not "values" as in "morals.")

You may be wondering why this matters when it comes to your story.

Well, as we all learned in school stories are driven along by conflicts. Conflicts happen when a goal is blocked. And a goal is always based on a value. 

In other words, you will be most motivated and fulfilled when your values are being met. You will be most discouraged and upset when your values are being violated.

(Want a quick way to tell what you value most? Think about what makes you mad. The opposite is a core value for you. For example, when people are inconsiderate it really bothers me because I highly value kindness. If disorganization bothers you then you value order, etc.)

We tend to think that everyone values what we do...but that's not the case. Our values are a reflection of our hearts and God has made us unique in what we respond to most.

The rest of your story MUST be based on your values. If it's not, you can have what seems like the "happiest ever after" and it won't actually be that way for you because whatever the ending is just doesn't matter to you. Or even worse, it will drive you crazy.

For example, if you value peace and simplicity but someone gives you the "happily ever after" of living a glamorous, exciting life in the city then you'll be miserable.

Our values are placed within us by God to provide the motivation for our stories. They propel us along toward the plot and ending He has in mind. 

Delight yourself in the Lord

and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

So, let's share with each other...what do you value?

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And speaking of "happily ever after" it's time for a giveaway! Our randomly chosen winners are Shawna Teal who left a comment on Part 8 and Tammy who left a comment on Part 6. They'll both get to choose anything they'd like from the Life Collection by DaySpring! And you can all get 20% off with my friends and family code, holley20. More random giveaways coming soon!

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Comments

[Becky]

Dear Holley,

I think my scene shows that I value love and family, peace and simplicity, quiet and nature, and serving God. And I think that's pretty accurate. This was very interesting.

Blessings! and thank you!

[Lauri]

My values are def. family, simplicity, haramony, and of course God. I didn't want to copy Becky but, she summed it up for me as well.I value God & family over anything else. Without those two values, life would be harded then it is already.God Bless you & everyone that is taking part of this series.

[Tammy@If Meadows Speak...]

Oh a good point! I never really put that much thought into it, but I'd say my scene sums up values in:

Family and harmony, experiencing new places together, enjoying nature's vistas, and living a decomercialized, slower life on a farm. The one thing I truly value for peace and joy, would be in God. He ties all my values together and makes them sweeter.

[Katy]

What a next step! As for me, from my scene I can easily see that I value God, family (all sorts!), nature, joy, simplicity, and soaking in the little moments.

[Lennette Daniels]

Raising my daughter to be the woman God wants her to be, family, faith, friends.

[Leonore]

I value LOVE--of God and hopefully, from a soulmate.Being widowed, with no children, I know what it feels like to have your family and friends desert you, should you be medically disabled.

I learned "True Love" from my dying husband. He had a brain tumor at age 29 and was given 6 mos to live.He lived for SIX years!! I believe I learned many of life's lessons during that time.

Thank you for letting me share-

[Tamara]

I absolutely love your posts Holley and where God is taking us through them. My happily ever after shows me that I value relationships, family, unity, peace, health (mental, spiritual, emotional, physical), spiritual unity and an intimate personal relationship with Christ. While I may still stumble in these areas... they are where where my deepest desires of heart and soul lie. Thank you for helping me to recognize the value!

[CJ]

Funny, I had not looked at it in that way....."the things that anger you....the opposite are your values" A new light for me....... and in that light, I see that I value love, peace, simplicity, honesty, mutual respect for each other & God's world. These are, in fact, the things I've been persuing in looking for a new neighborhood in which to live! I guess, without knowing it, I've been trying to find my "happily ever after"!! Thanks for the new insight, Holley.

[Michelle G.]

I value time with God, time with my husband and time with my children. I notice that I am happiest when we are all together no matter what we are doing. I have also noticed that my two daughters are most content when it is just the four of us at home....guess the leaf doesn't fall far from the tree :)

[Lucy Ann Moll]

I value quiet and simplicity. I value deep relationships. I value hope.

Blessings, Lucy