Values Ornaments was a workshop centered on reconnecting with the qualities that guide, ground, and inspire us, especially as we move into a new year. Together, our community explored how personal values shape our choices, our relationships, and our sense of self, transforming those reflections into visual keepsakes through creativity.
In the weeks ahead of the workshop, participants were invited to gently consider the values that felt most present or most needed in their lives. The AWBW Sample Values Template was shared as a reflective guide in addition to a few optional downloadable ornament templates.
During the live session, we began with a sensory meditation, tuning into the colors, textures, sounds, smells, temperatures, and sensations around us. This spacious arrival encouraged everyone to step out of the day’s momentum and into a slower, more intentional state of presence.
From this place of awareness, the group was encouraged to reflect by journaling or holding in awareness a series of guiding questions: What are my values? How do they show up for me? What have I developed or released this year? What do I need to lean into? Participants then were given the opportunity to speak freely on anything that arose for them and were encouraged to choose two to five values that resonated most deeply with them for the basis of the creative time.
The creative portion of the workshop invited everyone to turn those chosen values into symbolic ornaments. Using repurposed clay, crayons, watercolors, collage materials, and even digital drawing tools, participants crafted visual expressions of their values. Some chose vibrant colors to represent creativity, community, love and gratitude. Others layered texture to express balance, truth, and empowerment. The materials, shapes, and descriptions of the creations became a unique representation of how each member manifests their values. As each ornament took form, so did a deeper understanding: our values are both anchors and invitations, guiding lights we can hold, display, return to, and grow from.
