Have you ever had a moment that left you inspired, energized, and invigorated?  A moment that even hours after it is over the energy and thought-provoking ideas remain with you–animating ideas and encouraging creativity?  Yesterday, I had one of those moments as I gathered with the graduates of the six JustFaith groups at my parish to listen to five speakers from non-profit organizations.   

One speaker’s words will not leave me alone:  “Values are important–we have to articulate them and live them.  That is how we live a passionate, joy-filled life.”  These five speakers spoke with a passion and joy about their involvement in social justice issues.  They were truly at home in their work because they were involved in work that they valued and they could articulate the importance.  I could feel the joy and passion that seeped from their bones as they shared the intersection of their work and values. 

Almost six years ago, I was invited via a phone call and a lunch to step into a job that provided for me an intersection of my work and what I value most–helping others realize their gifts and deepest desires, helping others listen to the Sacred in their lives, helping people connect their daily life and their faith.  (Thank you, Charles!!!!)  That moment changed my life as it put me on track to articulate fully what my values are and to be involved in promoting them.  I am steadily surprised at the joy and challenges this work brings me.  I am daily invigorated by the joy that working in something I value provides. 

My values are always being refined as more clarity comes.  As this happens, articulating my values provides a tool for my discernment as I continue to make decisions that help me live a joy-filled, passionate life. 

What are my values? Can I articulate them?
What does living my values look like?
Who or what events have helped me articulate my values? 
Is there anything I need to add or remove from my life in order to more fully live out my values?

Becky Eldredge

Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.