As we gather this month to celebrate the holiday season – Christmas and New Year, I want to take a moment to reflect on something that feels especially meaningful this time of year: goals and values.
We all know the power of setting goals. Goals stretch us, challenge us, and inspire us to grow. But here’s the twist: make your goals hard to achieve. Don’t shy away from the challenge. Hard goals demand more of us. They make us question how much we’re willing to give, how far we’re willing to push, and what sacrifices we’re willing to make.
Hard goals are not just about achieving something; they’re about becoming someone. They force us to tap into our potential, to find resilience, and to rise above obstacles. So, as we move toward the New Year, I encourage each of you to think boldly about what you want to achieve. Set goals that scare you a little—and excite you a lot; make it unreasonable!
But here’s the balance: while you’re making your goals hard, make your values easy to experience.
What do I mean by that? Values aren’t meant to be hidden away in some abstract sense of who we are. Values are meant to be lived, felt, and shared everyday.
During the holidays, it’s easy to get caught up in to-do lists and the pressure to “do it all.” But the truth is, the magic of this season isn’t in how much you accomplish—it’s in the small, heartfelt ways you express your values.
Our values are the emotional drivers behind our decisions and actions. They shape how we feel, what motivates us, and the direction we take in life. Our emotions define our experiences. Negative emotions disconnect from our purpose and people we love. Positive emotions are our fuel to go through our day especially when it becomes difficult. It creates better connection with ourselves and other people around us.
Each of our values have rules. We may value success with our family or peers and have different rules. Most of the time we are very hard on our values that we cannot experience them anymore hence, it becomes the source of our pain and suffering. This holiday season, I challenge us all to embody our values. Make them tangible. Make them a part of every interaction, every conversation, and every gesture of love and generosity. Make them EASY to experience every moment of our lives.
| Values: In the past what has been most important to you in life? | Rules that are HARD to experience: In the past what has to happen in order for you to feel __________________? | Rules that are EASY to experience: In the past what has to happen in order for you to feel __________________? |
| Success | When I achieved my goals.When I have a million dollar in my bank.When we pass TJC? | Anytime I wake up each day feeling energized, passionate, and grateful orAnytime I remember my accomplishments. |
| Growth | When I get promoted.When i get a raise. | Anytime I am uncomfortable and frustrated orAnytime I stretch myself beyond my present limits. |
| Honesty | When I tell people the truth even if it hurts. | Anytime I am clear in my communication or Anytime I am Truthful or accurate orAnytime I must not exaggerate. |
| Generosity | When I give to donation to homeless.When I send money to my Family abroad. | Anytime I listen to someone. |
| Growth | When I get promoted.When i get a raise. | Anytime I think of my family orAnytime I feel their warmth or Anytime I am meditate or |
| Love | Whenever I am with my familyHug someoneobserve kindness. | Anytime I play with my family orAnytime I play with people orAnytime I meditate orAnytime I exercise or walk. |
So, let’s step boldly into this season and the year ahead. Let’s aim high with our goals and go deep with our values.
Let your goals define your ambition, but let your values define who you are.
Thank you all for joining us in serving our mission and vision. You are the living proof of what happens when people share their hearts, their kindness, and their values. Cheers to hard goals, meaningful values, and a holiday season filled with joy, connection, and love!
Let’s celebrate!
Live. Love. Serve!
