The Virtue of Consideration
17 May 2010 Leave a Comment
in Consideration, Joy, Peacefulness Tags: anxiety solutions, co-dependent solutions, depression solutions, virtues of wellbeing
Consideration
Consideration is being thoughtful of other people and their feelings. You consider how your actions affect them. You pay careful attention to what others like and don’t like, and do things that give them happiness. (www.52virtues.com)
My dear, Great Grandfather, bless his heart, was one of the grumpiest old men I have known. But God love him! He lived through two world wars (and faught in one of them), immigrated to Canada from Scotland as an infant with a family that did the best they could to survive under difficult circumstances. By the time he was in his 90s, he had become a man who did not easily have consideration for others. (But can you blame him, really?) I loved him despite it and accepted him exactly as he was. I miss him terribly and dedicate this post to him today.
If he had at one point decided, “You know what, I’m not going to be so grumpy anymore”…then it would be the Virtue of Consideration that he would have been needing to find within himself. He might find himself being more considerate of the mailman if he was late, being more considerate of the needs of a family member who had become ill, become more considerate of the nurses feelings who took care of him, etc. And in finding this virtue in himself he may have found some happiness that had been lacking in his life (and made the lives of those around him easier too!). God love him.
However, the Virtue of Consideration can bring other gifts to us as well. For those of us who are already self-less care-givers, are already devoted nurses, teachers, mothers, child-care providers, etc, we are well accustomed to the virtue of consideration. And in fact are very good at considering other people’s needs and feelings and helping them to have their needs met.
This is where I flip the coin and say that the Virtue of Consideration is not only about acknowledging how others are feeling and how their needs may be met — but that we remember that we are also “a person” and that our needs must be met as well.
So on our quest to have peacefulness in our lives daily, the virtue of consideration can remind us that we must consider our own needs alongside those others to whom we serve. When we have filled up our own cup then we are more able to share with others.
This is sometimes hard to do — really hard! Especially for those of us who are dealing with issues of depression, anxiety, or co-dependent behaviours. We have become so used to thinking of others that we forget how valuable we are.
Re-training ourselves to be considerate of ourselves takes effort and care but it is worth it. Because when we are considerate and give careful attention to our energy levels and to bringing things into our lives that give us Joy then we are more balanced and therefore more Peaceful.
Consider: Is there something that you have been wanting or needing but that you have refrained from giving to yourself? What is one thing you can do today to begin to be one step closer to meeting that need and showing consideration to yourself?
Copyright Rachel Perry 2010
The Virtue of Confidence
15 May 2010 1 Comment
in Confidence, Joy Tags: confidence, depression solutions, self esteem
The VIRTUE of Confidence?
Am I the only one that had never really thought of confidence as a virtue?
Sure, we hear it all the time when we are going after something new or exciting, something that challenges us and pushes us to our limits. Our friends will say to us before a job interview, “Have confidence in yourself. You’ll do great!”
The interesting way to look at Confidence as a virtue is that since virtues are the characteristics or qualities that already exist in us potentially and when we are seeking more of a virtue in our life all we need to do is to “call on it”…then really, when we are nervous before a big presentation all we need to do is “Call on our Confidence.”
It is interesting to think of a radiant yellow sun of confidence just waiting inside you for the permission to embrace you with this glorious light of Confidence. Others think of virtues as angels…and again, how uplifting to imagine that a peaceful angel has this gift of Confidence that she is waiting to give you if only you ask.
When we have Confidence we believe in ourselves. Knowing that who you are, what you know, what you do, what you feel, what you experience is valuable and important. YOU are valuable and important!
Many of us feel a sense of low confidence or low esteem when we are doing things that do not feed our spirit. When we are listening to the songs of our hearts and when we live truly as ourselves with the intention of bringing out the best in ourselves to have the greatest positive impact on those around us then we will be filled with Confidence. When we believe in ourselves, when we call on our confidence, and when we step bravely out into the life we want to live, then we find the Joy we seek and it never goes away.
(On a personal note, I watched Little Miss Sunshine tonight and was moved by the Confidence that little 7-year-old Olive displayed when she got up on stage at a beauty pageant even though she knew she was not as pretty or fancy as the other girls. When her talent presentation bombed, her family got up on stage with her to complete her dance with her and it was a very moving tribute to the Virtue of Confidence — which comes when we believe in ourselves and when we share in other’s triumphs and short-falls as well)
The Virtue of Commitment
06 May 2010 Leave a Comment
in Commitment, Determination, Gentleness, Joy, Joyfulness, Love, Moderation, Patience, Perseverance, Purposefulness, Self-Discipline, Trust, Uncategorized
When the virtue of commitment is considered in light of personal well-being, what comes to mind is how important it is for commitment to be paired with Love.
Commitment without Flexibility can be harsh and unyeilding. Commitment without Love can be cold and uneffective.
Commitment without Trust can be useless and daunting.
Commitment without Gentleness can be blind and without purpose.
Commitment is making a goal and sticking to it regardless of the obstacles. Commitment is dedication and determination and optimisim.
When we have commitment then we have strength. When we have strength we can achieve any wellness goal that we have set for ourselves. When we set and achieve small goals we will be empowered to achieve more. In this achieving our true potential can be realized and manifested. When our true potential is discovered, great Joy is experienced and all struggle falls away.
Day 191: The Power of Realization
03 Mar 2010 Leave a Comment
in acceptance, Commitment, Courage, Joy, Purposefulness, Uncategorized, Unity Tags: Joy, purpose of life, virtues for wellbeing
It was at this point in the cleanse when powerful truths about me began to surface and I think it must be similar for everyone.
The Power of Realization is the power to know who you are, to be who you are, and to see that knowing and being who you are is of great benefit to yourself and those around you when you direct your energies towards service.
It was at this point in the 21 Day Consciousness cleanse that I began to hear the song of my heart singing the need to write. Not only did I discover that I wanted to write, but that I wanted to write often, write continually, and write for profit. After 10 years of writing for free, I was now ready to “realize” the gift I had and the purpose it could serve in lifting the hearts of those around me.
I ask you the same question that was so inspiring to me:
What strengths or talents do you have that make you unique?
If you don’t know…then it is time to do some soul searching.
If you do know, but you aren’t using them to your greatest capacity then I ask: what is stopping you from using your strengths and talents for the benefit of yourself and others?
When we honour who we are and do what we can do then great, great results follow.
It’s true what they say that there is only one of us and that each one of us carries with us one peice of the puzzle. This is very true. This is the essence of unity in diversity; this is the beauty of life; this is the joy that we all can have if we only are couragous to look within and see ourselves standing there and say, “Well, I”m not that bad, am I!”
Copyright 2010 Rachel Perry
Day 183: The Gift of Surrender
22 Feb 2010 Leave a Comment
in Detachment, Joy, Joyfulness, Love, Peacefulness Tags: acceptance, personal growth, self-improvement, surrender, virtues for well-being
Surrender is found when we allow the virtue of Detachment to come into our awareness.
Detachment is letting go of our identification with our thoughts, feelings, belongings, even our family and friends.
In Detachment we can surrender ourselves to the moment and without judgment, evaluation or criticism can allow negative feelings to be released and we can make room for Light, Love, and Peacefulness.
In the spaciousness of Detachment or Surrender we can feel at ease, in complete trust that all is exactly as it should be. When we are in that condition we no longer feel that we are suffering and we can feel true Joy.
“Let us not keep on forever with our fancies and illusions, with our analyzing and interpreting and circulating of complex dubieties. Let us put aside all thoughts of self; let us close our eyes to all on the earth, let us neither make known our sufferings nor complain of our wrongs. Rather let us become oblivious of our own selves, and drinking down the wine of heavenly grace, let us cry out our joy, and lose ourselves in the beauty of the All-Glorious.” (Abdu’l-Baha – www.bahai.org)
See more about The Gift of Surrender from Debbie Ford at http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Get-Started-Take-Debbie-Fords-21-Day-Consciousness-Cleanse
May you feel a spaciousness between yourself and your suffering today in a gentle knowing that you are in exactly the right place at exactly the right time, doing exactly the right thing.
Copyright Rachel Leigh Perry Pellegrini 2010
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 155: Joy and Pain
03 Feb 2010 Leave a Comment
in Joy, Joyfulness Tags: Abubu'l-Baha, Joyfulness, virtues for well-being
Pain and Sorrow – ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks
PAIN AND SORROW
November 22nd, 1911
In this world we are influenced by two sentiments, Joy and Pain.
Joy gives us wings! In times of joy our strength is more vital, our intellect keener, and our understanding less clouded. We seem better able to cope with the world and to find our sphere of usefulness. But when sadness visits us we become weak, our strength leaves us, our comprehension is dim and our intelligence veiled. The actualities of life seem to elude our grasp, the eyes of our spirits fail to discover the sacred mysteries, and we become even as dead beings.
There is no human being untouched by these two influences; but all the sorrow and the grief that exist come from the world of matter — the spiritual world bestows only the joy!
If we suffer it is the outcome of material things, and all the trials and troubles come from this world of illusion.
For instance, a merchant may lose his trade and depression ensues. A workman is dismissed and starvation stares him in the face. A farmer has a bad harvest, anxiety fills his mind. A man builds a house which is burnt to the ground and he is straightway homeless, ruined, and in despair.
All these examples are to show you that the trials which beset our every step, all our sorrow, pain, shame and grief, are born in the world of matter; whereas the spiritual Kingdom never causes sadness. A man living with his thoughts in this Kingdom knows perpetual joy. The ills all flesh is heir to do not pass him by, but they only touch the surface of his life, the depths are calm and serene.
Today, humanity is bowed down with trouble, sorrow and grief, no one escapes; the world is wet with tears; but, thank God, the remedy is at our doors. Let us turn our hearts away from the world of matter and live in the spiritual world! It alone can give us freedom! If we are hemmed in by difficulties we have only to call upon God, and by His great Mercy we shall be helped.
If sorrow and adversity visit us, let us turn our faces to the Kingdom and heavenly consolation will be outpoured.
If we are sick and in distress let us implore God’s healing, and He will answer our prayer.
When our thoughts are filled with the bitterness of this world, let us turn our eyes to the sweetness of God’s compassion and He will send us heavenly calm! If we are imprisoned in the material world, our spirit can soar into the Heavens and we shall be free indeed!
When our days are drawing to a close let us think of the eternal worlds, and we shall be full of joy!
You see all round you proofs of the inadequacy of material things — how joy, comfort, peace and consolation are not to be found in the transitory things of the world. Is it not then foolishness to refuse to seek these treasures where they may be found? The doors of the spiritual Kingdom are open to all, and without is absolute darkness.
Thank God that you in this assembly have this knowledge, for in all the sorrows of life you can obtain supreme consolation. If your days on earth are numbered, you know that everlasting life awaits you. If material anxiety envelops you in a dark cloud, spiritual radiance lightens your path. Verily, those whose minds are illumined by the Spirit of the Most High have supreme consolation.
I myself was in prison forty years — one year alone would have been impossible to bear – nobody survived that imprisonment more than a year! But, thank God, during all those forty years I was supremely happy! Every day, on waking, it was like hearing good tidings, and every night infinite joy was mine. Spirituality was my comfort, and turning to God was my greatest joy. If this had not been so, do you think it possible that I could have lived through those forty years in prison?
Thus, spirituality is the greatest of God’s gifts, and ‘Life Everlasting’ means ‘Turning to God’. May you, one and all, increase daily in spirituality, may you be strengthened in all goodness, may you be helped more and more by the Divine consolation, be made free by the Holy Spirit of God, and may the power of the Heavenly Kingdom live and work among you.
This is my earnest desire, and I pray to God to grant you this favour.
