Finding clarity in life can be challenging, especially when we're surrounded by expectations from others and internalized rules about who we should be. At The Harvest Clinic, we help individuals on their journey to self-discovery and intentional living through a process we call Sifting & Sorting: Clarifying Your Values.
Sifting & Sorting allows us to separate what is essential from what is not, helping us understand our values and live in alignment with them.
This process involves taking a closer look at the elements that guide our lives — our Values, Rules, and Wants — and organizing them to foster a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Sifting - Clarifying Your Values
Separating Wheat from Weeds
The first part of this process is Sifting, which involves differentiating Values from Rules and Wants.
Values: These are the things that are intrinsically important to us. Values represent our core beliefs and principles, which guide us towards a life of purpose and satisfaction.
Rules: These are the "shoulds" in our lives, the expectations we believe we must meet, often influenced by society, culture, or our upbringing.
Wants: Our wants reflect what feels good or bad to us, the personal preferences and desires we chase based on emotions or immediate gratification.
Through sifting, we learn to identify which parts of our lives are driven by genuine values, and which are shaped by external pressures or fleeting desires. This separation allows us to clarify what we truly want to focus on in life and discard the rest.
Sorting: Organizing Values into Meaningful Orientations
Once we have sifted through these elements, we move on to Sorting. Sorting is the process of organizing our identified values in a way that aligns with our personal goals and aspirations. By doing this, we create a clear map that helps us navigate life according to what we hold dear, rather than being swayed by external influences.
Sorting allows us to prioritize our values, set boundaries, and build a life that reflects who we genuinely are. This alignment with our values leads to a more authentic, fulfilling, and purpose-driven life.
Sifting - Root & Fruit: Exploring the Depth and Experience of Our Values
To gain a more profound understanding of our values, we explore them through the "Root & Fruit" framework. This involves delving into the origins (Root) and the experiences (Fruit) of each value.
The Root: Understanding What’s Beneath
The Root represents the foundation of each value. When we explore a value, it’s important to understand:
What’s under the value? Reflecting on the origins of a value helps us see where it comes from and why it holds significance.
Why is it desirable? Understanding the "why" allows us to connect with the deeper motivations behind our values, helping us discern whether they are truly ours or adopted from external sources.
What are its roots like? This question delves into the strength and stability of the value, giving us insight into whether it’s a lifelong principle or something that may evolve over time.
By exploring the root, we gain clarity on whether a value aligns with our true self or if it’s an inherited belief that may not serve us anymore.
The Fruit: Experiencing the Outcome
The Fruit represents the outcome of living according to a value. Reflecting on this helps us understand how fulfilling each value truly is:
What does it taste like? What is the emotional experience of living by this value? Does it bring peace, joy, or perhaps even a sense of unease?
Is there a 'settled' experience, or does it urge us to do more? Some values offer contentment, while others drive us to continue striving.
What is the fruit like? Reflecting on the fruit of each value helps us assess whether pursuing it enhances our life or if it creates stress or dissatisfaction.
Understanding the "fruit" of our values enables us to evaluate if living by them genuinely enriches our lives, or if it may need adjustment. Sometimes, we find that a value once thought important no longer serves us, and we may choose to let it go.
Here is a short explanatory video with Ric on Sifting - Clarifying Your Values
Why Sifting & Sorting Matters
By engaging in the process of Sifting & Sorting, we empower ourselves to build a life that is rooted in what truly matters. This work allows us to clear away the "weeds" of outdated rules and superficial wants, giving space for our authentic values to flourish.
At The Harvest Clinic, we support our clients in this journey, helping them clarify their paths and live with intention. Through Sifting & Sorting, you can cultivate a life that aligns with your deepest values, provides true satisfaction, and helps you feel more connected to yourself.
Begin the journey with us today, and discover the clarity and fulfillment that comes from living by your true values.
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