Virtues — positive ways of being

Acceptance Acceptance is embracing life however it is.

You do not react negatively to what cannot be changed anyways.

You can bend and adapt when challenges arise.

You allow others to be in their own process, without trying to force them into any particular way.

Nonetheless, you accept your own responsibility for helping others and for making positive changes in the world.

Appreciation Appreciation is recognizing the goodness of someone, something, or an action.

You recognize beauty, excellence, and value.

You see the goodness of what is given in life or in what you experience.

You appreciate the beauty in nature.

You express appreciation with gratitude.

Assertiveness Being assertive means being positive and confident.

You think for yourself.

You believe that your ideas and your needs are worthy of respect, and you express your ideas and wishes.

You stand up for what is right, and you don't let people manipulate you.

You set personal boundaries if needed.

Caring Caring is giving love and attention to people who matter to you, and treating them with gentleness and respect.

You feel an urge to help people, and you give your best effort to do what is best for them.

You can also care about animals and plants and the Earth, or you can care about ideas, projects, or other things.

With caring, you consider what is needed, and you do what is needed.

Commitment Commitment is deciding carefully what you want to do, then giving it 100%.

You give your all to a friendship, a task, or something you believe in.

You are of wholehearted service to someone or something, or to a larger work or purpose.

You have unwavering perseverance to stay with a person or a work, through the easy and hard times.

You finish what you start, and you keep your promises.

Compassion Compassion is the combination of —
love, caring, understanding, and empathy.

You truly love people with a feeling and realization of being related in the deepness of heart.

You care about people – their feelings and their well being.

You seek to understand the situation and feelings of others.

You share empathy with others, opening your feelings to what they feel, yet without being self-identified.

You feel for those who are suffering or in need, and you want to help them.

You feel compassion for others, even if you might disagree with their beliefs or actions.

You love unconditionally. You let go of judgments and you forgive.

Confidence Self-confidence is trusting that you have the ability to succeed in what you try.

You feel positive in new situations and have courage to try new things, without letting doubts or fears hold you back.

When you have confidence in others, recognizing their abilities and trustworthiness.

Consideration Consideration is being thoughtful of other people – their feelings, wishes and needs.

You do what is good for people and what makes them feel loved.

You think about how your actions affect others and the Earth.

You give intelligent thought to each idea and possible decision.

Cooperation Cooperation is working together for a common goal and sharing the work load.

You behave harmoniously with others and follow socially agreed rules.

Your actions benefit the larger community or purpose.

You join with others to do things that cannot be done alone; for together we can accomplish great things.

Cooperation builds group harmony, peace and well-being.

Courage Courage is being unafraid to make a decision or try something new.

You embrace life fully and keep moving forward with positive determination.

You can take on a difficult challenge without fear.

You do the right thing, even when it's difficult, and you don't give up.

Courage requires self-confidence and a positive belief in yourself.

Courtesy Courtesy is being polite and respectful, and having good manners.

You give others a feeling of being respected and valued.

You give to others to make them happy.

Creativity Creativity is finding different ways to be expressive or to solve problems.

With imagination you can see things in new ways.

You are open-minded to new ideas and inspirational visions.

You express your unique talents, abilities, and ideas.

You have courage to express new styles, rather than just copy or repeat what everyone else does.

Your originality brings new variety into the world.

Decisiveness Decisiveness is a firmness of mind and will – to make a stand, reach a conclusion, or make a commitment to do something.

Decisiveness requires discernment, commitment, and courage.

Detachment With detachment you can be aware of your emotions and your thoughts, but not allow them to take control.

With detachment, you are free to thoughtfully choose how you will act, rather than merely react mechanically.

Detachment frees your consciousness.

Detachment is a power of our will to be free from attachments and reactions.

Determination Determination is continually working on something until it is complete or good enough, even if it isn't easy.

You make consistent effort to reach your goals, not giving up because of difficulty.

You focus your energy and efforts on a task and stick with it until it is finished.

Devotion Commitment to something you care about deeply.

A feeling of being magnetically drawn to love and serve others, God, or an important service work.

Diligence Diligence is working hard and doing your absolute best.

You do things step by step, with great care and attention.

Diligence helps you to get things done with excellence and success.

Discernment Discernment is a clear seeing of the truth and what is the best way.

It is knowing what is true, not false.

It is knowing what is real, not fake.

It is understanding what is right or best to do, or which path to take.

To reach discernment, you use experience, sound reasoning, and intuition.

Discipline Self-discipline is having self-control to do what you choose to do, or need to do, rather than being controlled by your habits or childish desires.

You use your power of will to overcome the power of habits.

You take charge of yourself and become self-responsible for what you need to do.

You responsibly manage your life, your time, your patterns, your behavior and self-expression.

You self-create useful and healthy good habits.

You get things done in an efficient way.

Enthusiasm Enthusiasm is an excitement about life and an openness to the wonders each day holds.

It is being cheerful and full of spirit.

You have a positive attitude and are positively motivated.

You are wholehearted in what you do.

Excellence Excellence is giving your best and doing your best in whatever you do.

It is giving careful attention to each task and every relationship.

Excellence is the key to success.

Flexibility Flexibility is being open to change or to new ways.

You can adapt to different kinds of people and circumstances.

You consider the ideas and feelings of others, without rigidly insisting on your own way.

You keep evolving and changing, in order to harmonize with larger social needs or with the greater ecology.

You are easy-going and accepting, rather than rigid, fixated, or stubborn about how things unfold.

You can go with the flow.

Forgiveness Forgiveness is overlooking mistakes and giving someone another chance.

Instead of seeking revenge or pay-back, or hating, you can let go of resentment and move forward with a fresh beginning.

You can forgive yourself as well.

Instead of feeling bad or guilty about your mistakes, decide to act better next time.

Friendliness Friendliness is taking an interest in others and making them feel welcome.

You reach out to others with warmth and caring.

You're willing to be intimate and trustworthy.

You share yourself and your time.

You stay connected in heart and in caring, both through good times and difficult times.

Generosity Generosity is giving and sharing freely what you have, but without expectation of receiving in return.

You find ways to bring happiness to others and give what they need.

Being generous is an expression of our love, compassion, and friendship.

Your love and caring overflows and radiates to others.

Gentleness Gentleness is acting softly, speaking considerately, and thinking kindly.

You talk things out peacefully and with consideration of feelings.

You're harmless and you bring peace.

You make all around you feel safe.

Goodwill Goodwill is a will oriented towards the good.

Goodwill is a will to nurture or create what is good, right, or best.

Goodwill is a will oriented towards the good of others.

Goodwill is a will-to-love, will-to-help, and will-to-heal.

Goodwill is a will motivated by love, empathy, and caring.

Goodwill is a will to bring love, caring and givingness into all relations.

Goodwill is an expression of love, compassion, care, and givingness.

Goodwill seeks to express and manifest good qualities, good values, and good outcomes.

Goodwill produces an atmosphere of love, friendship, cooperation, and good-relations.

Goodwill solves problems and heals conflicts.

Gratitude Gratitude is feeling and expressing thankfulness and appreciation for what life gives you, or for what others give you.

You can also have gratitude for just being.

Helpfulness Helpfulness is offering your help, without waiting to be asked.

You are of service to others, doing practical things that make a difference.

You're cooperative with the hopes and needs of the larger group.

You discover what is needed, then pitch in to do it.

When we help each other, we all achieve more.

Honesty Honesty is being openly truthful and sincere.

You say what you truly believe and feel.

You have confidence to be yourself.

Honest people do not lie, cheat, or steal.

When you are consistently honest, others can trust in you.

Being honest with yourself means that you don't fool yourself with lies or delusions about who you are.

You can honestly see yourself, and admit your weakness and mistakes.

Honor Honor is giving respect to yourself and to others.

Self-honor is having your own self-integrity and dignity.

You live by your highest values and beliefs.

You keep your word and your agreements.

You do what you believe is right, regardless of what others do or think.

Humility Humility is knowing that you are not the all-important one.

Rather than being self-centered, you consider others and the Earth as important as yourself.

You admit to making mistakes, but you learn from your mistakes.

You are open and willing to learn from every lesson life brings.

You accept that you need help at times, and you're willing to accept help, from others or from God.

You understand that a greater Wisdom exists.

Humility is realizing you are far from being perfect in what is divinely possible, and that there is still work on the path.

Idealism Idealism is having high ideals about what is achievable, for yourself and for the world.

You believe in the values of justice, goodness and beauty.

You believe that all great visions are possible, and you act to manifest them.

You are not simply content with how things are, because you know that a better way is always possible.

You believe there is meaning and purpose in life, and you live by your beliefs.

Integrity Integrity is living by your highest values and ideals.

You have self-unity, without self-divisiveness or self-contradiction.

Your words and actions match your true core beliefs.

Truth and honesty are valued more than social conformity.

Your self-power and self-respect is held together, and no one can take it away.

Joyfulness Joy is an uplifted feeling of love, happiness, and gratitude.

Joy comes from within; it springs up from our spirit.

Your heart feels light and unburdened. Joy gives us wings.

You enjoy nature, you enjoy people, you enjoy life.


Suggestions for Joy

– Look within for Joy and Inner Peace.

– Enjoy whatever you are doing.

– Find creative ways to enjoy.

– Be open-minded, more accepting, and less judgmental.

– Have a sense of humour about things.

Justice Justice is manifesting equal fairness for everyone.

It is protecting everyone’s rights, including our own.

You solve problems so that everyone benefits.

You consider what is fair and reasonable in each unique situation, without pre-judgement or fixed ideas.

You give back restitution to those you have hurt or wronged.

To be a champion for justice takes courage.

You don't accept it when someone acts like a bully or is selfishly unfair.

Kindness Kindness is doing something nice and helpful to others.

You are thoughtful about people's needs and show them you care.

You give attention to others in ways that brings them happiness.

You show love and compassion to people who need your help.

To be kind is to not be cruel, or tease, or criticize, or cause harm.

Love Love is a feeling of affection and caring for a person, a place, an idea, and for life itself.

Love is a heart-felt warmth and appreciation for another.

You feel connected and close with another, with your family or your group.

You show love in a smile, a kind word, a thoughtful act, or a hug.

You treat people and things with care and kindness, because they mean so much to you.

Love can range from self-love to group-love, or to an even wider love for all of Earth and humanity, and finally is God-love or Divine-love.

Loyalty Loyalty is an unwavering faithfulness and commitment to people and ideas we care about.

Loyalty is staying true and standing up for someone or something you believe in.

You are faithful to your family, friends, nation, group, or ideals.

You maintain lasting relationships and are always ready to help.

Mindfulness Mindfulness is being intentionally aware of the people and things one is presently interacting with, and the space around.

Mindfulness is being fully present and aware in this immediate moment and place.

You are aware of your thoughts, words and actions, and your effects on others.

You are cautious about what you do and considerate of how others feel.

Moderation Moderation is creating a healthy balance in your life between work and play, rest and exercise.

You have self-discipline to create balance and temperance.

You don't overdo things, and you don't go to any extremes.

You seek no more than is needed; no excess, no greed.

Modesty Modesty is to value yourself without having to boast about your abilities or successes.

You quietly accept praise.

You have boundaries about your body and how you express your appearance and sexuality.

Obedience Obedience is following what we believe is right to do.

It could be following your own conscience or spiritual intuition or feeling.

It could be following the guidance of a teacher, a teaching or a religion.

It could be following the law or social rules.

Orderliness Orderliness is being organized and arranging things in an organized and harmonious way.

You are neat and tidy, and have with a sense of harmony.

You make plans and solve problems in an organized, ordered, step by step way.

You value order and organization in the world and in whatever you do.

You create order inside yourself, in your life, and in your environment.

Orderliness creates a feeling of harmony and peacefulness.

Patience Patience is believing in an expected end result, but also knowing that things take time to work out.

You trust that things will work out in due time.

You trust that the bus will arrive and all you can do is wait.

You are able to wait peacefully, without complaining.

You are tolerant and not upset by difficulties or mistakes.

You persevere to meet your goals, without reaction to setbacks.

Perseverance Perseverance is being steadfast and persistent.

You are committed to a goal and will put in whatever it takes to reach it.

You continually strive to overcome obstacles.

You hold true to your direction and are not blown off course.

You stay the course, no matter how difficult it is and for however long it takes.

You don't give up.

You keep going.

Peacefulness Peacefulness is being calm, tranquil, and relaxed.

In peacefulness, harmony prevails.

You resolve conflicts, rather than fight about it.

Peace in the world begins with peace in your heart and peace with everyone around you.

Playfulness A playful person is freely exploratory, rather than bound by fixed rules or ideas about what is right.

In playfulness, you explore for the sheer delight of the experience,
or you do something for the sheer delight of doing it.

In Playfulness you become free of routine patterns and are willing to explore new things and new ways.

In playfulness, you find delight in the present moment, and there is no hurry.

In playfulness, you are relaxed, spontaneous, and allow the situation to unfold freely.

In playfulness, life is discovery, and learning is naturally fun.

In playfulness, nothing is hard serious work, yet things get done.

Playfulness increases enjoyment and joy, lightness and fun.

Playfulness reduces stress and the tensions of seriousness.

Playfulness often engages people and makes them more connected.

Playfulness nourishes creativity, new ideas and new discoveries.

In playfulness, new connections are formed in the brain and we become smarter.

In playfulness, rules, fixed ideas, and previous behaviors are open to change.

Playful people are adaptive to new situations and make do with whatever is at hand.

Playful people alternate between – reality (of what is) and imagination (of can be).

Prayerfulness Prayerfulness is relationship of faith and gratitude with the Power and Presence greater than ourselves.

Prayerfulness is a conversation with the Divine, or humbly asking for higher guidance and help.

Purposefulness Being purposeful is having goals and intention.

You have a vision for what you want to accomplish.

You focus your energy on the goal at hand.

You make things happen, rather than just let things happen.

Your life feels to have meaning and direction.

Reliability Reliability means that others can depend on you.

You are responsible.

You keep give your best to every job.

You don't forget your commitments.

You complete what you agree to do.

Responsibility Responsibility is doing what is needed, rather than expect others to do it.

Responsibility is the ability to respond-ably to the need at hand.

You take on what is needed to do, with diligence and reliability.

You make choices, rather than just let others decide things.

You accept accountability for your choices and actions.

You admit making mistakes.

When you make a mistake you try to fix it, instead of making excuses or blaming others.

Others can trust you to strive at completing things with excellence.

Respect Respect is treating others and oneself with dignity.

Your words and actions show courtesy.

You honor the rules and customs of a group or culture.

Respect yourself, and others will respect you.

Reverence Reverence an awareness of the sacredness of life.

You experience a deep spiritual respect and awe, in relation to life, to nature, or to someone special.

Righteousness Righteousness is saying and doing what you believe is right.

You stand by the truth.

You live by the moral code of harmlessness.

Sacrifice Sacrifice is a willingness to give up your personal desires for what is more important, or for a greater good.

You give of yourself, in service to life and to larger needs, making your life a sacred offering.

You let go of your self neediness.

You give all you have for what you believe is right.

Service Service is giving to others and to life.

You have a commitment and focus to do whatever is needed.

You do what is needed with excellence.

You have a radiant attitude, not a begrudging or 'I do so much' attitude.

Sincerity Sincerity is being true and genuine, from your heart.

Your words and actions are true to your heart.

Steadfastness Steadfastness is being steady, persevering and dependable.

You work steady towards your goal and move past any obstacles.

Strength Strength is your inner power to overcome obstacles and be victorious in what you value.

You have the will and endurance to succeed.

Tact Tact is considering how your words affect others' feelings.

You tell people what you think, yet with kindness and in small doses.

You know when it is better to not say something.

Thankfulness Thankfulness is being grateful for what you have, or for what is given.

You realize the specialness and beauty of life.

You appreciate the many little things that happen every day.

You can find a lesson or a gift in what happens, even in difficulties.

Tolerance Tolerance is accepting and respecting differences – in belief, cultural practice, or lifestyle.

You can accept things that you wish were different.

You don't demand that others think, look, speak or act just like you.

You realize that people can be unique in their feelings, needs, hopes and dreams.

You have patience and flexibility.

You are free of prejudice.

You refrain from hurtful judgment.

Trust Trust is having faith in someone or something, that things will work out alright.

You have a positive attitude about the future.

You have confidence that a good outcome will happen without trying to control it or force it.

In each moment, you trust in the Divine Goodness.

Trustworthiness Trustworthiness is being worthy of trust, when people can trust you.

You do what you say you will do.

You are loyal to friends and are not hurtful.

People can count on you to do your best, to keep your word, and to follow through on your commitments.

Truthfulness Truthfulness is being honest in your words and actions.

You are honest about yourself and what is real.

You don't try to impress others with exaggerated stories about yourself.

You are accepting and comfortable with yourself as you are, so you don't pretend to be anything else.

Understanding Understanding is knowing what is true and how people feel.

You have empathy and compassion for others.

You know what people really mean in what they say.

You listen well to others and to life.

You comprehend the causes and implications of actions or happenings.

You know the purposes of things.

Unity Unity is the realization or feeling of being interconnected with others and in harmony with a shared purpose.

You feel connected with others, with nature, or with life.

Diversity and unique expression is valued within our inclusive unity.

We work and live together peacefully.

Together in unity we can accomplish more than anyone alone.

Vigilance Vigilance is maintaining an unwavering, continuous, urgent and devoted attentiveness for an important purpose.

This vigilance could be applied for external situations requiring continuous attentiveness.

Yet vigilance could also be applied in regards to oneself, such as being attentive to one's own heart feelings, or one's inner voice, or one's breath or body movements.

Wisdom Wisdom is making good decisions.

Wisdom is giving helpful advice or guidance.

Wisdom is a fusion of knowledge, experience, mindfulness, intuition, love, and sound reasoning.

You have a discerning mind, seeing what is beneficial for the greater needs of Earth and humanity.

You understand the fundamental principles and values in life, while also knowing how to apply these in practical ways.