Very Genki Indeed or How to Live Your Values

        Very often I get caught up in the drudgery of doing, rather than the joy of being.  I have all these things to accomplish sometimes I forget that there is more than one way to do things.  A few years ago I heard a lecture by Dr John Demartini.  He gave a 10 question values determination that changed my life.  These are not the overarching principles of your life, more the values that set your course each day.

         I have always loved to teach, but used to be a bit more like the strict nun we all loved to hate rather than the fun teacher.  The first time I completed the values determination, having fun was my fourth most important value.  Now my classes are more light-hearted, full of laughter and movement.  This cartoon http://reikimarketing.com/ captures the flavor.  I love the look on the middle woman's face.   Five years ago, that was me....

        Another interesting thing I learned was that any human interaction fills my social needs.  It is great because I can derive great pleasure from just talking to the check out clerk and bagger at the grocery store (you know who you are...).  It is not so great because I tend to neglect my family and friends.  When I figured this out, I could make a few remedies, be more conscious in my interactions.  My calendar is now full of scheduled time with friends and family, because we all know I am the least likely person to pick up the phone just to say hi.  Now I need to figure out how to translate this to social media (sorry Facebook friends...)
       My Japanese tutoring students have tried for years to explain the word, genki.   The English translations range from healthy to energetic to lively.  The best description I ever heard was the feeling a dog expresses as he sticks his head out the window with ears streaming back in the wind.  May living your values make you very genki.