When In Doubt Reconnect with Your Core Values

I haven’t been myself since October 7th. I am a shell-shocked version of myself. I still wake up crying from nightmares thinking about the massacre victims in their final hours, the hostages still held by Hamas, and 10-month-old Kfir Bibas ripped from his home and family by Hamas terrorists. The radical pro-Palestinian mobs around the world wearing face coverings screaming “kill them all” rub salt into wounds that won’t heal. I am overwhelmed by all the hate. So, no, I am not okay.

I am a Bay Area liberal, a feminist and a Democrat. But lately, I feel like an island adrift from what used to be my people, my tribe, or so I thought. I find myself deserted by those who were supposed to care about the survival of my people. After all, there are only 15 million of us in the world. I never realized how deep the hatred for Jews is. Apparently, antisemitism is alive and thriving.

It appears those who live in the liberal bubble have really bought Hamas Jihadist propaganda hook, line and sinker. Somehow, the victim is portrayed as the oppressor. Hamas rules Gaza with an iron fist, forcing Gazans to live in poverty, deprived of basic human rights. Yet, Israel is held accountable despite having left Gaza in 2005, and being continuously provoked and dragged into war.

I am still a liberal. Thus, I am committed to supporting the continued existence and success of the state of Israel, now more than ever before. October 7th and all the ugliness that has ensued have reaffirmed to me how important it is that Israel remain strong, a democratic light in a sea of darkness. Let?me?get?this?straight, Israel’s war on Hamas is a fight between light and darkness, between good and evil. And all of us who care about the Palestinians must call on Hamas to free the hostages and surrender. The only realistic chance of peace is to free Palestine and Israel of Hamas, and the world of Jihadist ideology and hate.

But this is almost mission impossible. So, in the meantime, I have to stay strong and find ways to make a positive impact on the world, to contribute to my community in a meaningful way, and to enhance society overall. To do that, I need to get back to the basics and reflect on the values and principles I seek to hold myself true to. Values are the anchor for our soul-boat. They hold us firmly grounded and in tune with who we are deeply when the waves are high and they threaten to push us in the wrong direction, or tip us over.

Staying grounded in values is the key to navigating life’s tumultuous waters with purpose and clarity. There’s no better time than the present to reflect on personal values. Year-end is fast approaching, and this can be a friendly reminder to conduct a life review looking at values, successes, failures, relationships, and lessons, with the end-goal of defining a value proposition going forward into the new year. Be ready to define what unique value you have to offer the world in 2024.

Here is an exercise to help you write a personal value proposition statement:

1. Write up at least 10 words that best describe you.
2. Write up at least 5 ideas you have to make a positive impact.
3. Use the above 2 lists to create your own tagline, or a brief personal statement describing who you are and what you do/would like to do, and why.
4. Brainstorm 5 taglines.
5. Now?pick the one tagline that really speaks to you.

Example:

I am ____________________. I do ________________________________

(tagline)?????????????????????????(my calling – the purpose of my work)

because_______________________________________________________

??????????????????????????????? (my “why”)

Wishing you and yours peace, happiness, and harmony this holiday season. Happy Holidays!