People will know us as someone with an exceptional character who makes the right choices and strives for excellence in all we do. They will want to be around us because we inspire them to be better people. They will come to us for guidance and help.
Our friends, families, co-workers, and neighbors will trust and rely on us. We know we are becoming more virtuous people, not only because of the results above but also because of the way other people respond to us.
So why then, if we know what to do, are we still stuck? Because we have not yet consciously and boldly applied a virtue to a given situation so as to alter its outcome such as in these examples: We know it takes courage to accomplish great things. We know if we forgive, we’ll be less angry and resentful. But it’s not easy. So often we know that it takes perseverance to reach our goals, and we still never get there. When we practice virtues and build our “character muscle,” we attract what may have been missing in our life such as fulfilling relationships and achievement of meaningful goals. Virtues are universal and recognized by all cultures as basic qualities of well-being. With the habit of being virtuous, we take the helm of our own life, redirecting its course towards greater happiness and fulfillment. Virtues need to be cultivated to become more prevalent in life. Some might say good qualities are innate, but we’re not perfect. They do the right thing, and don’t bend to impulses, urges or desires, but act according to values and principles. They are honest, respectful, courageous, forgiving, and kind, for example. Morally excellent people have a character made-up of virtues valued as good. Virtue, by definition, is the moral excellence of a person.
Virtues are the essence of our character and when we keep the practice of virtues at the heart of everyday life, we live with purpose.
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