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 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 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)
