The letter of the week is “V”, so the subject is VIRTUE.
The simple definition of virtue is the conformity of one’s life and conduct to moral and ethical principles or moral excellence. Virtue is something that comes from within yourself and cannot be provided to you by others.
Without going into each virtue individually, I will recommend some reading. There is a book called “The Book of Virtues” by William J. Bennet. It is excellent reading. Without going into details, he provides great moral stories in the following areas:
- Self-Discipline
- Compassion
- Responsibility
- Friendship
- Work
- Courage
- Perseverance
- Honesty
- Loyalty
- Faith
Some of these I have touched on in previous Positive Thoughts, and will expand on some of them in future months.
A look around the events happening in the country over the past few months clearly demonstrate that many people need to work on one or more of these areas to become “virtuous.” It is so easy to let some slip up on some of these. I know I have done it. It takes internal strength to realize where you might be going wrong.
The bottom line is that you cannot depend on friends, family or government for you to do the right thing for yourself and others.
This is all food for thought.
