7-13 March 2016

Beauty – Characteristic / Virtue of the Week

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

Beauty – What does this card say to you today?

There is so much beauty in the world which can be seen by so many people who are striving to make the world a better place in so many different ways.

Everyone is a gift to the world and the beauty is seeing the positives in everyone – we all have a purpose and the beauty is when we all get to fulfil our purpose and contribute to the world in whatever way we are inspired to – when we live our purpose it is often for the betterment of the world and usually serves each other for the betterment of each other.

Sometimes it’s a challenge to see the gifts in others but that’s when it’s obvious that these people who challenge us are a gift – that’s when we get to hone our own virtues and strengthen ourselves.

Have you ever met anyone whose light shines from within so brightly? My experience has taught me these are the people that continually strive to deepen their virtues and grow into the beautiful people they are. There’s a quote I once read which states that ‘Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art’.

How to practice Beauty:

For young adults & adults:

• Start your day by thinking of 3 things you are grateful for
• Notice things in your environment that are beautiful, including the people
• Think about what virtue you notice in at least 3 people each day

For child care centres & schools:

• List the children’s name on a board and write down a virtue you have seen them practice that day for the week
• Ask children to let the staff know about virtues they spot in each other that can be added to the board – and how they saw the other child practice it
• Do a meditation after lunch which helps them understand how to create a peaceful space for themselves

For families:

• Compliment each member of your family at least once this week – about the beauty within them
• Build each other’s confidence by ensuring your compliments cannot be denied
• Recognise the challenges that family members have overcome and how they have strengthened as a result

For businesses & organisations:

• Beauty is show when systems are effective – what works well in your company?
• Appreciate all staff members – everyone contributes in their own special way
• Consider creating an opportunity for staff to contribute to the community on a frequent basis – eg. once a month every staff member – serving together creates unity amongst staff plus a more grateful cooperative workforce