Life happens. Through it, we are all weaving our own stories through the Nine Elements of Life. Yet, amidst the various categories, there exist three essential threads—Security, Value, and Hope—that intricately intertwine, holding together the fabric of our existence. I call this the LIFELINE. Understanding and nurturing these threads are crucial for a life that is not just lived but truly thrives. Let’s explore these three threads.
Thread #1: Security
The exploration of this concept originally came in a conversation with Troy Nelson, the executive director of . Full disclosure, Troy is my brother. ARM is a faith-based organization that provides resources and takes a message of hope and transformation into prisons.
Like a pre-flight safety check before taking off, examining the security thread is essential. My own interesting in exploring this thread came conversations with Troy Nelson, the Executive Director of American Rehabilitation Ministries (ARM). Every individual seeks a unique sense of security. It may manifest as routines or key relationships for prisoners longing for safety within the confines of walls, or as a protective demeanor for someone grappling with the unexpected loss of a marriage.
Whether it’s creating distance, building empires, or wearing a mask, our actions and interactions are usually rooted in the pursuit of security. Recognizing and fortifying this thread is paramount, as a lack of security can destabilize our pursuit of satisfaction across all Nine Elements of Life.
Thread #2: Value
The second thread, value, weaves purpose, respect, and love into the fabric of our lives. Organizations that value their members radiate positivity, energy, and satisfaction. Feeling valued ignites a sense of belonging and purpose, propelling individuals to contribute their best to a team, relationship, or endeavor.
When I work with organizations you can feel the culture when you walk in. When people are valued you feel an energy, you see smiles, you sense a satisfaction with being a part of the team. But, when you walk into an organization that sees their employees as numbers instead of people, you feel the heaviness. You feel the dissatisfaction, see the expressionless faces, and the routine checks of their watches to see how much longer they have to endure working today.
Value helps you keep moving. You see how you fit into the rest of what’s happening. Whether it is with your company, your relationships, or your sports team, when you have clarity on what is needed from you and why it matters it pushes you to do your part. You are experiencing being valued.
One of the greatest examples of this I have is when i talk to my friend Brad. Brad worked for my father-in-law, Dallas, in a manufacturing company. Years after my father-in-law retired whenever I would be in town and run into Brad he would humbly express how much my Dallas meant to him. It takes one singular conversation to realize it was not because Dallas gave Brad a job. It was because Dallas invested in and cared about Brad’s life. Brad felt, and was valued by his Boss and friend. Every one of us needs to feel loved, respected, and a sense of contributing. We all need value.
Understanding one’s role and significance is vital for progress, and clarity on how one contributes makes the journey fulfilling. We all crave that sense of being loved, respected, and making a meaningful contribution—this is the essence of the value thread.
Thread #3: Hope
In my darkest seasons the common denominator is a loss of hope. When my father was sick I lost hope. As a business owner losing key employees there’s a sense of losing hope. As a fan of sports when my favorite team gives up a score in the final moments of a game I lose hope. I begin to grieve my loss.
When we lose hope we lose perspective of so many other important things. Without the thread of hope we will struggle to live into our Life Elements in a fulfilling way.
In my opinion, the best expression of this idea of the importance of hope is Viktor Frankl’s work “Man’s Search for Meaning.” Frankl was a Psychiatrist and Philosopher that endured the horrors of the Holocaust. Frankl observed that the single most important factor for surviving was having hope for the future. Those that lost their drive to accomplish something beyond Auschwitz would inevitably lose their physical and mental health.
Examining Our LIFELINE
In times of struggle, our lifeline must be robust and resilient. The combination of all three threads—Security, Value, and Hope—provides the strength needed to weather life’s storms. One thread alone is insufficient, two may be better, but it’s the triad that creates an unyielding lifeline.
How is Your LIFELINE?
So, how is your lifeline? Are you facing a season where the threads are strained or in need of repair? In those moments, reaching out for support becomes an act of courage. Circle of 5 Coaching is here to help you navigate your journey, identify weaknesses in your lifeline, and guide you on the path to repair and rejuvenation.
Your lifeline deserves attention, and it would be an honor for us to stand by you as you strengthen the threads of Security, Value, and Hope. In seeking support, you embark on a transformative journey towards a life that not only survives but flourishes—one where the threads of your existence weave a narrative of resilience, purpose, and unwavering hope.