By Sara Aeiken

I cannot recall when I’ve not been interested in and excited about learning and growing as a human being. Learning with a focus and knowing how it fits into a life of service, is even more appealing to me. It’s sharp-shooting and purposeful. In the long run, I’ve experienced it saving time, money and energy, as well as making me a more vital and productive community member.

I’ve experienced a number of educational tools developed through programs for life-long learners that are successful in helping me identify my values, but I find it much more difficult to carry out these values. It takes work, and self-discipline on my part.

The Life Training Program is an educational program for adults. I believe it is exceptionally effective for the following reasons. Their usage of a variety of all the senses for learning, has for me, a higher level of staying power for both remembering and for positive change and growth. I see Life Training as a learning structure tool that helps me specifically identify what values I already have, if they are worthy of keeping, if they are congruent with my actions and most importantly for me, if they are supported by my faith beliefs. I call the results “value actions.”

I have been involved with the Kairos Foundation Life Training Program for more than a decade. As I look back over this time period, I am able to see gradual, immediate and profound changes in my life and others in Albert Lea, in Minnesota and world-wide.

Specifically, I have an opportunity to practice

non-tangible daily living skills, that reflect my values, in a supportive and educational setting on a regular basis. Some of the main values that are most significant in helping me live out my faith and life are clarity, purposefulness, partnership, excellence and acknowledgment.

Clarity to me, means being clear internally in my thought process, which I’ve noticed helps to create a peace within. This includes looking at my main belief systems and patterns and checking out the see if they are true and fit my actions. External clarity would be my integrity and respectfulness in communicating with others, rather than judging them, which would include forgiveness.

Purposefulness for me, means I know what God’s purpose is for me and am willing to identify my gifts that he has given me to use in his service. I work on my goals and activities to be congruent with my purpose.

Partnership is teamwork, being open to support and to the responses from others, with whom I’ve shared my goals.

Excellence is not perfection, but doing my best with the tools I have, and is also a result of taking responsibility for my actions.

Acknowledgement is not boastful, but supportive and celebrating, such as in harvesting a crop at the end of a bountiful season.

By taking the challenge, I have been able to see myself becoming more open to giving of my resources in all arenas of my life.

It has allowed me to initiate and complete some specific long range community projects that I never thought possible- all with the added benefit of being more joyous and grateful in the process.

(Sara Aeikens works the principles of Life Training. For more information visit: www.kairosfoundation.org.)