values.

i sat in my blueish-green chair in my bright green room (its name is the big green...nineties childhood, anybody?) thinking.  just a random question, based on a goals and purpose sheet i was looking at given to me by a coworker (thanks bc).   i pondered for a minute and typed out a few words.  five i do believe.  and, i had an idea.   it would totally work.  it was almost 12:30 am.  perfect.  reason number one, i am almost never up at this time.  reason number two, folks would still be up and have nothing better to do than text me back.   no doubt.  two are in med school, one is in pt school - they are always up late studying.  one is a high school kid, actually dual enrolled college student, who almost always hits the sack after midnight.  the other i have no idea her sleeping habits, but i am pretty sure she doesn't go to sleep early.  they would all be either studying or chilling or reading.  score.  so, i asked:  "if you picked five values that you lived your life by, what would they be?"

the answers:

"faith hope love joy and ummmm trust.  no.  i change trust to redeem."

"choose joy.  stand on what you know is truth.  love others.  doer and not just hearer.  sleep five hours a night...better at some, working on others."

i wrote back "my original values were just words.  humility.  integrity.  service.  love.  sacrifice.  i like your list though.  according to you, my list would be:  choose joy.  don't quit.  live it up.  love well.  remember what you know to be true."

"i'll tell ya next week sara.  test on friday.  i'll keep it in mind and give you a thorough answer because i've been thinking about it lately."

"five that i strive to live by, or actually live by?...humility, integrity, compassion, gentleness, and selflessness...hmmm...i'll have to think about 'my other list'.  p.s. i like service as a part of your list.  i wanted that one, but then i figured that between humility and selflessness, SOMEHWERE in there i'd probably be serving people.  ha.  probably shouldn't assume."

"love and faith...the other three i'm still debating.  tough question there matey."

i suppose there are a few perks of having really smart and busy friends who study a ton and are unable to hang out often.  they text ya back late at night.  ha.  i am blessed and thankful.