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Virtue, by definition, is the moral excellence of a person. A morally excellent person has a character made-up of virtues valued as good. He or she is honest, respectful, courageous, forgiving, and kind, for example. Because of these traits or virtues of character, he or she is committed to doing the right thing no matter what the personal cost, and does not bend to impulses, urges or desires, but acts according to values and principles. Some might argue that good qualities are innate, which they are, but we’re not all perfect. We do need to apply certain virtues to our daily life to become even better people and to shape our destinies; it’s never too late to recreate ourselves.
Why practice virtues?
Virtues are universal and recognized by all cultures as basic qualities necessary for well-being and happiness. So if we practice virtues, we are building our “character muscle,” therefore we will experience more discipline, love, courage, peace, and creativity in our lives, which equates to better living.
For example, we all have goals we would like to achieve, relationships that may need mending and fears that prevent us from reaching our potential. When we apply self-discipline, forgiveness and courage to these matters, we renew our lives. The challenge is not so much recognizing what action needs to be taken. We know it takes discipline to reach our goals. We know if we forgive someone then we won’t be as angry and uptight, and we know it takes courage to accomplish great things.
So why then, if we know what to do, do we still have so much unfinished business? Because we have not yet consciously applied a virtue to a given situation so as to alter its outcome, from what has always been to what can be. In doing so, we not only become better people, but we can redirect the course of our lives. We can achieve that goal of running a 25-mile race and create better health. We can mend a broken relationship with our brother who we haven’t talked to in 20-years and, consequently, be there for each other as we get older. We can pursue a dream business and become more financially sound and happier.
In summary, we can develop our potential and become more of who we really are. If we become more virtuous people, great things will come to us; it’s a certainty.
"The greatest crime in the world is not developing your potential. When you do what you do best, you are helping not only yourself, but the world." Roger Williams
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