V.I.P. or S.A.D.?: It's up to You

I was preparing for a couple of presentations lastHomework: Write two lists of behavioral indicators; one
week for the Women On the Way (W.O.W.) programthat will remind you of when you are in integrity, and
at our local St. Petersburg College (my A.A. /A.S.the other that will remind you know of when you are
degree alma mater).beginning to leave your integrity. Review the list daily
I am always honored to go back to my old "stompingand commit yourself to the path of integrity.
grounds" to do presentations, but even more so for- Purpose - Your purpose is your own personal "True
this group, as most of the people connected with theNorth". It becomes the compass of your Life Journey
WOW program are coming back to school afterthat pulls you forward to your Highest Good. When
some major life transition.you know your life purpose, and you live on purpose,
This program is designed to be a support for theiryou are fulfilled and have an "inner knowing" that you
success. They are my heroes, as they all use thisare going in the direction that you will serve you and
support network to help each other be successful. I dohumankind the best.
believe the world could learn something from WOW.Homework: Spend some time with the following: The
The workshop that I was presenting was entitled Thepurpose of my life is ___________. Keep working
Secrets Of Relationship Success: Know Your Rootsit until it is a perfect "10" for you. Then, make it a daily
and Bear Good Fruit. I like to use acronyms when Imantra that you live by.
present, as they are easy for me to remember, andAnd then there is the flipside of V.I.P., which is S.A.D...
they seem to have a lasting impression on the- Selfless - People who do not know their values or
audience. There were two that came up that havetheir purpose have difficulty being true to themselves,
been very helpful: V.I.P. and S.A.D.much less walking their own Life Path. By default, they
The standard V.I.P. is traditionally translated to Veryoften succumb to what others value and often find
Important Person (which you are, by the way!!), but forthemselves being pulled from one direction to another.
the purpose of this workshop it stood for Values,They are controlled much of the time by outer
Integrity and Purpose. I believe these three elementsinfluences instead of their inner self.
build the "foundational triad" which enables us to have- Assuming - Because these people have a poor
fulfilling and lasting relationships. Let me elaborate...sense of their self, they live by making many
- Values - This is what you determine to be mostassumptions. They often assume that if someone
important in your life. When you know your values, it isshows them attention or affection, it must be a good
easier to make decisions because you know what fitsthing since it feels good, and they can easily get into a
and what does not. Therefore, decisions about whatrelationship or situation that is unhealthy. They have a
to do, who to share your life with, and when to exitpoor "filtering", or screening system since they do not
due to a values clash, all become much clearer.know who they really are.
Homework: Spend some time this week and write- Dependant - These people are prone to become
down your ten highest values. Check in with yourvery dependant. They allow others to make their
values list regularly.choices for them. They take on others values. They
- Integrity - Integrity is the path that you walk accordingbecome fearful of others leaving them due to their
to your values. When your actions (your "outer self")dependency, so they often give up more and more of
match your values (your "inner self") you are walking atheir self the longer they stay involved.
path of integrity. Integrity comes from the word thatIf you live the V.I.P. life, you will leave no space to be
means "wholeness", therefore, you live a more whole,S.A.D. So...Are you living a V.I.P. or a S.A.D. life?
or complete life when you stay in your integrity. ThisMy vote and encouragement is to put all your energy
path will leave feeling good about yourself as you willinto being the V.I.P. that you were truly meant to be.
not disrespect your own values as long as you stayAfter all, you are a Very Important Person...WOW!!
on the path.