Be virtuous

Been giving to the homeless while driving (we got a lot in our city). Running out of cash! I’ve given up soda, and want to give up gluttony… trying.

Humility
Charity
Kindness
Temperance

...trying to be diligent with my homework!

Practice loving-kindness
Restore myself
Be knowledgeable
Live simply
Be outgoing
Be compassionate and accepting
Be truthful
Practice self-discipline
Pay Attention
Eat well
Forgive
Be grateful
Be beautiful
Maintain a neat and tidy environment
Have confidence
Be decisive and content
Create
Be curious
Practice detachment
Have faith
Be generous
Be fit, flexible, and healthy
Laugh
Love

I have succeeded in pruning out most undesirable contact with society from my life, and being virtuous is easier. I almost want to claim success! However, I see that when I have a young child, I will suddenly be thrust back into many extremely unpleasant interactions with people. There’s just no avoiding altercations with teachers, neighbors, other kids’ parents, random strangers, etc., is there?

It would mean a heck of a lot if I learnt how to become more kind, more generous, more courageous, less manipulative, less “out for my own”, less…less of a bitch, shall we say?

My friend just asked me to define what I mean by “virtuous.”

Here it is currently, for me: being industrious, faithful, disciplined, organized, and kind.

I am more virtuous. Yes. But not as much as I ought to be. I will keep working on it. I’ll probably never be satisfied with this one.

How did I get off this path? At some point I was on it.

Kelly, Matthew. The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose.

This book is incredible.

http://www.amazon.com/Rhythm-Life-Living-Passion-Purpose/dp/0743265106/sr=8-2/qid=1160250186/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-4110849-9848849?ie=UTF8&s=books

So what is virtue? I looked it up in dictionary.com to find the answer I thought; virtue

n 1: the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong

Makes me wonder why all people don’t want to be virtuous.

I’m following up on several of my goals, so that’s good. Generally behaving with integrity.

Industriousness is really something I could work on.

I’ve been listening to an audiobook about the life and times of Benjamin Franklin and I think it’s inspiring me to be more virtuous.

7 Holy Virtues

1. Chastity (Latin, virtus) (courage, opposes lust) —
Courage and boldness. Embracing of moral wholesomeness and achieveing purity of thought through education and betterment.

2. Generosity (Latin, liberalis) (will, opposes greed) —
Willingness to give. A nobility of thought or actions.

3. Moderation (Latin, frenum) (self-control, opposes gluttony) —
Constant mindfulness of others and one’s surroundings; practicing self-control, abstention, and moderation.

4. Zeal (Latin, industria) (ethics, opposes sloth) —
A zealous and careful nature in one’s actions and work. Decisive work ethic.

5. Meekness (Latin, patientia) (peace, opposes wrath) —
Forebearance and endurance through moderation.

6. Charity (Latin, humanitas) (satisfaction, opposes envy) —
Charity, compassion, friendship, and sympathy without prejudice.

7. Humility (Latin, humilitas) (modesty, opposes pride) —
modest behavior, selflessness, and the giving of respect.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_virtues