Have you ever sat down and wrote out your values? I recently did this while I was thinking about how to inspire others to take control of their health and well-being. I wanted to be self-aware of my values if they were aligning with my health and wellness. Many people understand this when they are asked what their "Why" is or when someone makes the point that to be committed to goals you must know why it is important or the purpose of what you are doing. Here are my values:
Lead by Example
I know no one has their life all together like they want. I suggested that people do meditation for years because I knew the benefits from research and others telling me about how it helped them. Several months ago, I finally began and I do meditation almost every night now. It has been very helpful to my mental health in forgiving others, being kinder to myself, and learning to breathe softly to relax. As a Physical Therapist, I have always said "Practice what you preach" and I do. I lift weights at least 5 days per week and run 3 times per week, bike 2-3 times per week, and go on nature walks. I hike every summer and completed the Oregon Pacific Crest Trail last summer. I go to sleep early now compared to the years I neglected sleep.
Accountability
I have always done my best to be accountable for my family, friends, patients, and clients. I tie accountability with reliability. This is where I could do better to rely on others and have people accountable to me. This is a difficult one for me since I have been burned here. I have asked others to be accountable to me for specific reasons and they never followed up with me on the specific ask. I also grew up in a family where the parenting was neglectful so I took it upon myself to take care of my own needs and others needs. I guess I am saying that something can be valuable to you and still needs some work.
Excellence
What excellence is to me is that I want to be able to provide the best care for my patients. That has always meant for me to dive into every class or book that could teach me more ways to help my patients. It was also to listen more to hear what my patients were saying and not saying. It also meant working on my communication and learning from the good and the not-as-good visits or interactions with anyone.
Integrity
One of the first times I heard someone talk about integrity was at my daughter's Taekwondo classes. They asked each kid what it meant and it was part of the values they taught the kids. Integrity to me is not only being honest but also uncompromising moral and ethical values. This can be expected in a health and wellness focus of keeping away from excuses and keeping your word.
Respect
I was talking about this with one of my patients today. He mentioned to me that he feels disrespected when people are late when meeting with him (unless there is a good excuse why). I feel the same way. We were talking about people in general and I shared one of my greatest influencers on this was my university Cross Country and Track & Field coach, Wes Cook. Everyone who ever knew him learned how he felt about anyone showing up late. He taught us to value other people's time. If you were late, you were late for everyone on the bus......you weren't the only person affected
Social Responsibility
I believe we are all here to help one another and are responsible for caring about each other. We need to look for the needs and where we can help. This is not just by donating money but by giving others your time. I have always had a heart for serving the homeless. I began doing this while I was at George Fox University. We would go to Portland and meet with a safe group that was already established in an area. I was able to talk with troubled youth, indigenous people and others. I did not have as good an experience in other situations that were not as organized and safe so I now try to help behind the scenes. I help prepare the food with others at a local church that later in the evening is served by others.
Serving Others
This is my mission in life. Physical Therapy is my gift to help people get back to work to take care of their families, grandparents to help take care of grandchildren, athletes to return to sport and more. I believe this should be a value for everyone. Could you imagine if everyone looked out for one another and put others needs of high importance? I do have to say that we cannot depend on the few to help and serve others. There is research that shows that if you help others it increases the happy hormones in your body and you feel a purpose in life. I have met some selfless people that would give you the little that they own themselves.
Karen Baltz Gibbs, PT, DPT, CSCS, CMP, LMT, Owner Garage Training & Rehab Gym
phone/text: 971-719-3162
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