Day 17: The Virtue of Hope
17 Mar 2010 Leave a Comment
in Daily Log, Love, Trust Tags: anxiety, depression, healing, personal growth, personal transformation, virtues for well-being
The Virtue of Hope is a sister to the virtues of Trust and Faith. Sometimes though, when it feels as though we have lost trust in ourselves or others, or when we are questioning what to have faith in, it is the gentle nature of Hope that says, “Even when you feel confused or scared you can still have Hope in the fact that things are okay and will continue to be.”
The idea of Infinite Possibilities opens up new hope in us, especially if some situations in our lives may seem hopeless.
With hope we allow ourselves permission to consider that change is possible, renewal is possible, transformation is possible.
When there is Hope, anything is possible.
Day 198: The Virtues of Infinite Possibilities
11 Mar 2010 Leave a Comment
in Assertiveness, Caring, Compassion, Daily Log, Enlightenment, Generosity, Peacefulness, Trust Tags: healing, health, personal growth, self development, virtues blog
Wow — as I wrote Day 198, it occured to me that this virtues blog has been a part of my life for quite some time now. When I started doing the daily count the idea was that I was going to count the days, like a captain of a ship would, on my journey into health and well-being through the virtues.
Interestingly, last week I came across another inspirational website of people who are also on journeys of 100 day cycles. They call it the 100 Day Challenge (at www.cocreatingreality.com) and the idea is to define a goal at the beginning. It can be any goal — to be healthier, to get a new job, to watch less TV, to eat more veggies, to start an art class — anything…and then they take steps throughout the 100 days to achieve that goal and blog about in on the site.
I’ve joined the 100 Day Challenge group as of March 1 and so I am on day 11 there. My goal is to increase abundance in my life, especially abundance of love and prosperity. My strategies include using my writing strengths to increase my income and putting a focus on my physical body’s well-being and needs in order to remove old toxic build up and increase my physical health.
To align my virtues blog with my 100 Day challenge, on day 201 I will bring it in line with my 100 Day Challenge which will be Day 14.
On this virtues blog I will continue to write about using virtues to overcome challenges and what strategies can be useful in doing so.
In the meantime, I wanted to address the Virtue of Infinite Possibilities and answer what does that mean anyways?
Here is why having an idea of Infinite Possibilities is useful in the journey towards replacing negatives with positives:
When we look at something and say, “this is the way that it is” a flower is yellow or this person is mean or this job is terrible, whatever the case may be…when we say that we close ourselves off to peace and happiness. In order to have the hope for peace and joy we must, must, must have the idea that something can be different than what it is. This flower will look blue at night time, this person has just lost a child and is greiving, this job would be better if you talked to your boss about your need for a raise and got one. You see…there are possibilities for everything.
INFINITE POSSIBILITIES? Really? You ask? How can that be? And what does that even mean and how does it apply to me?
In terms of virtues, it means that there is no end to the ways that we can improve ourselves, our lives, and the lives of those around us. It means that if we release ourselves from limiting thoughts and we allow our heart to guide us, we will begin to see the world in an entirely new way. We may have a renewed sense of hope or faith, we may begin to trust ourselves, we may begin to trust others. We may begin to be more assertive, more caring, more gentle…whatever we need in order to approach the situation differently is at our disposal.
When we even make one small step to re-direct our intentions towards things that will improve our peace of mind, our personal well-being, and the happiness of those around us, then we open ourselves up to more possiblities. And the possibilities are endless.
The idea of infinite possibilities is appealing to me right now because I am giving a lot of thought lately to Abundance. Abundance is not a virtue, per say, but it is a sister to virtues such as Mercy, Grace, and Generosity. When we trust that there is a Merciful, Gracious, and Generous Being that has our best interests at mind, then we begin to let Peace in. And it does not matter what name we give this Being — Do you call it Universe? God? Creator? Blessed Beauty? Allah? Higher Power? These names are all names for the same Divine and Ancient Spirit of Life that created us, loves us, nurtures us, and moves us in our lives towards a greater and greater Peace.
The possibilities for Peace are endless. And what a beautiful gift that is.
Day 158: Purposefulness
06 Feb 2010 Leave a Comment
in Commitment, Confidence, Courage, Daily Log, Determination, Perseverance, Purposefulness, Self-Discipline Tags: purpose of life, Purposefulness, resolution, virtues advocate, virtues for well-being
Today I was reminded of the spiritual wisdoms contained in the message of Deepak Chopra and his description of what he calls 7 spiritual laws inspired me.
He writes that the 7th Law is that of Purpose of Life. This law includes discovering your True Self, discovering your unique talent, and then using these unique talents in service of humanity.
Inspired by this idea, I gave thought to my own purposefulness today.
www.52virtues.com describes that Purposefulness is…
“having a clear focus. Begin with a vision for what you want to accomplish, and concentrate on your goals. Do one thing at a time, without scattering your energies. Some people let things happen. When you are purposeful, you make things happen.”
Many people feel purposeful on January 1st when they make new year’s resolutions, but without determination or committment they lose the momentum to overcome the challenges that test their resolution.
My new year’s resolution is to let this be the year that I turn my finances around, the year that I embrace the abundance that is all around me. I have a clear focus and am following a plan that will bring me to the achievement of that goal.
What was your new year’s resolution? Where do you hope to be in one year from now? Send me an email or write a comment on the blog.
Day 156: Hope for the Future
03 Feb 2010 Leave a Comment
in Confidence, Daily Log, Idealism, Joy, Peacefulness, Unity Tags: Faith, Hope, Oprah, self-actualization
This is what I wrote on Oprah’s website today in answer to the question: what is your hope for yourself for the future?
My hope for myself in the future is that my experiences in the future continue to reflect the inner peace that I experience each day. My dream is to be a writer, motivational speaker, and educator who shows by example and with inspiration that all obstacles can be overcome, any dream can come true and that we can achieve the awareness of self-fulfillment by knowing our True Selves, by knowing what makes us unique, and by using these qualities in service of humanity. That is my hope for the future.
Now I ask you — what is your hope yourself in for the future?
Day 138: What Are Virtues Anyway?
11 Jan 2010 Leave a Comment
in Commitment, Daily Log, What Are Virtues? Tags: 52 virtues, Virtues Project
What are virtues?
“The Virtues Project was founded in 1991 by three concerned individuals who made a commitment to do something to counteract the rising violence among families and youth. Linda Kavelin-Popov, her husband Dr. Dan Popov and her brother, John Kavelin researched the world’s diverse sacred traditions and they discovered something simple and profound.
Essence of the human spirit
At the heart of all spiritual traditions are 360 virtues, described as the essence of the human spirit and the content of our character. A guide containing fifty-two of these universal virtues was published to help parents bring out the best in their children and in themselves.
Since then many books and other resources have been published to help educators, businesses and governments implement the virtues. The project has grown into a global grass roots network of diverse individuals, organizations, schools, and communities in more than 85 countries, including Canada.”
(directly quoted from passages found on www.52virtues.com)
Day 137: Re-discovering Rumi
10 Jan 2010 Leave a Comment
in Daily Log, Patience, Peacefulness, Perseverance, Purposefulness, Self-Discipline, Trust Tags: Peacefulness, Rumi, self-discovery, Spirituality, virtues, well-being
Thirteen years ago, when I was first thrown into The Valley of Search I found myself asking these questions: What Is My Purpose? What Is Right and Wrong? Why Does It Matter If My Actions Are Right or Wrong?
During that time of great self-discovery I discovered the great poet Rumi and his divine inspiration filled my soul with hope and mystery. Now, as I am going through another great passage into a new chapter in my life I find myself drawn back to him again. (It helped that my therapist also loves him and encouraged me to re-visit him as well). I share this poem today because it tells the story of a soul finding peace…peace for me is that “everlasting home” that he mentions in this poem.
First he appeared in the realm inanimate;
Thence came into the world of plants and lived
The plant-life many a year, nor called to mind
What he had been; then took the onward way
To animal existence, and once more
Remembers naught of what life vegetive,
Save when he feels himself moved with desire
Towards it in the season of sweet flowers,
As babes that seek the breast and know not why.
Again the wise Creator whom thou knowest
Uplifted him from animality
To Man’s estate; and so from realm to realm
Advancing, he became intelligent,
Cunning and keen of wit, as he is now.
No memory of his past abides with him,
And from his present soul he shall be changes.
Though he is fallen asleep, God will not leave him
In this forgetfulness. Awakened, he
Will laugh to think what troublous dreams he had.
And wonder how his happy state of being
He could forget, and not perceive that all
Those pains and sorrows were the effect of sleep
And guile and vain illusion. So this world
Seems lasting, though ’tis but the sleepers’ dream;
Who, when the appointed Day shall dawn, escapes
From dark imaginings that haunted him,
And turns with laughter on his phantom griefs
When he beholds his everlasting home.
R. A. Nicholson
‘Persian Poems‘, an Anthology of verse translations
edited by A.J.Arberry, Everyman’s Library, 1972
Day 136: Re-inventing and re-creating myself in the new year
09 Jan 2010 1 Comment
in Creativity, Daily Log, Perseverance, Self-Discipline Tags: virtues
It’s the new year and I’m still giving thought as to this website and what will be on it. This year, 2010, is going to be a good year. I can tell already. Although I don’t know what it is exactly that I am creating in my life I can tell it is going to be very interesting.
Think of a baker who goes out and gets all these awesome ingredients, flours, fruits, butter cream etc and then she comes home and puts it all on the counter. It looks like a mess because all the ingredients, baking products and recipes books are laying all around. But soon the baker turns on the oven to pre-heat it, and then she choses a recipe, and gets the bowls and measuring cups ready and then the fun begins.
That’s me right now. The “ingredients” that I have around me are so interesting and exciting…the oven is even turned on and heating up…now I just have to pick a recipe and start mixing. Maybe I’ll have a lot of fun and not even pick a recipe…maybe I’ll take the ingredients I have and make my very own creation!
The virtues of creativity, obedience, and perseverance are my guide.
Can’t wait to see what wonders the year bakes up up!
Creativity – Creativity is the power of imagination. It is discovering your own special talents. Dare to see things in new ways and find different ways to solve problems. With your creativity, you can bring something new into the world.
Perseverance -Perseverance is being steadfast and persistent. You commit to your goals and overcome obstacles, no matter how long it takes. When you persevere, you don’t give up…you keep going. Like a strong ship in a storm, you don’t become battered or blown off course. You just ride the waves.
Self-Discipline – Self-discipline means self-control. It is doing what you really want to do, rather than being tossed around by your feelings like a leaf in the wind. You act instead of react. You get things done in an orderly and efficient way. With self-discipline, you take charge of yourself.
(Definitions from The Virtues Project, The Educator’s Guide)
Day 131: True Self vs Ego
05 Jan 2010 Leave a Comment
in Daily Log
This is not my house - but it just as well could be!
My house is a mess. And not just a little mess — it’s an “I Just Moved A Full House Into A Two Bedroom Apartment” mess. I’m sleeping in the livingroom because what would be my bedroom is filled from floor to ceiling with boxes and bags. There are dishes constantly dirty in the sink because I don’t have a dishwasher yet. There are misc. jars, food items, and broken-just-need-to-be-thrown-out stuff on the dining room table. This place is a mess.
Everywhere I look I see something that needs my attention but I’m not panicking the way I used to. Instead, I’m remembering 5 things…
1) This is temporary.
2) It is possible to be peaceful even in a mess.
3) A mess in this circumstance is a result of conditions out of my control and it is not a reflection of my inability to keep a clean house.
4) My ego wants me to feel negative about the mess.
5) My true self wants me to be peaceful in all conditions.
Lately I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the concept of true self and ego with the idea being that we all have a true self, higher nature, spiritual side, potential for virtues and we also have an ego that feeds on negative emotions, that is our lower nature, our less spiritual side.
When we navigate through life striving to live according to our True Self and seeking to not allow our egos to interfere with unity and peace, then we are living in accordance with our true purpose.
And this mighty, mighty mess all around me is wreeking havoc on my ego, giving it lots of amunition for making me feel bad. But my true self says, “Oh no no my friend. I accept this mess for what it is!” I am One with this mess. I am Zen in this mess.
And that, for me, may be more of a personal acheivement than even a university degree. LOL.
Day 108: Virtue of Playfulness
20 Dec 2009 Leave a Comment
in Daily Log
Lately I’ve been getting a lot of reminders about the importance of play.
Letting go of worry about other people’s feelings and letting go of worry about what other people will be doing, letting go of wanting to control other people means that I can allow myself to just have more fun.
It’s liberating and I love it.
Having a 4 year old to hang out with every day really is a gift because I have a constant playmate.
So today, I practiced playfulness by taking her to the park and wrapped in scarves, mitts and hats, we swang on the swings and ran down a huge hill. We drank hot cocoa when we got back and played Dora Bingo. We danced to the silly Hamster Dance song.
When she went to bed I turned the TV on and watched it all night long. The playfulness in this is that I am allowing myself to just do something without judging that it is “right” or “wrong.” I just did it.
So in all of this, I could release my worries and my fears and my anxious thoughts and enjoy the moment, the little laughter that we had, and the quiet moments.
Playfulness is a remedy for depression, for codependancy, for worry, and for fear…and there are no damaging side effects.
(Art Work by Erika Hastings at www.mudspice.wordpress.com)
103 – Virtue of Certitude
14 Dec 2009 Leave a Comment
in Daily Log
Certitude is that wondeful feeling that I experience as a warmth and comfort in center of my chest and stomach.
I have a lot to say about certitude as it was one of the first virtues that I gave attention to develop at a time. The Book of Certitude, written by Baha’u'llah, gave me such insight and hope as to the possibilities that were there for a person who wanted to discover them.
Now, I am at a time of my life when there is great upheaval and uncertainty in the material world around me. things that I thought were permanant have turned out not to be and things that I thought were flexible turned out to be immovable.
And in the midst of it I have received a great gift adn that gift is the gift of certitude.
In this great, great “city of certitude” I am inspired by the idea that I might share some of the insights that have lead me here.
The great question is this: How do I share the personal experience of aquiring virtues, attacting virtues, sustaining virtues, in a way that does not infringe on my personal life and people that are in my life that taught me such things?
But what I can say is that I learned certitude at a time when I felt unsure of everything. And that is the way virtues work — so whatever condition of pain, fear, hopeless or worry that has embraced your heart — know that the opposite is possible for you.
There is so much to say on this topic I have to stop now or else I will never be able to stop.
