25 – 31 January 2016

Zeal – Characteristic / Virtue of the Week

The purpose of this weekly newsletter is to assist you in discovering the best within you, and those around you, and help each other become the person you were born to be and support one another on our life journey. Make the world what we want it to be – a safe, kind, peaceful place. Naturally feel free to share.

Zeal – What does this card say to you today?

This card is telling me that zeal is essential in everyone’s life. Think about it. If you are passionate about something you have purpose in your life and each morning you get up and are eager to do whatever it is you that do. You are enthusiastic, you are purposeful, you are happy.

Some people know what their purpose is in life and some take longer to find it, regardless have faith that you are on your way. You will be taught lessons along the way and come across many tests & challenges however you’ll learn the necessary lessons such as courage, honesty and service and begin to understand more about how you can contribute to making the world a better place.

For example, someone who is passionate about helping others achieve their goals might be a life coach, or a translator of language, or a teacher who assists children learn – we all may have a common goal of being of service to others but what we’re passionate about differs. Sometimes our passion not obvious to us but is obvious to others – mums for example, they do the most important job in the world by raising the next generation. They may not see, or feel zealous at all times but others see their gifts, both theirs and what the offer to the world.

How to practice Zeal:

For young adults & adults:

• Put some thought into what you are passionate about and how often you are taking action in that area
• Contemplate whether you are balancing your enthusiasm with tolerance by understanding other peoples perceptions which may differ to yours
• Acknowledge yourself for your commitment & determination

For child care centres & schools:

• Discuss how people feel when they are zealous
• Discuss how people feel when they lack zealous – educate them on depression, mental health issues
• Discuss how people have great character qualities but sometimes they are misguided – for example a bully has great leadership skills but doesn’t know how to use them properly – always be mindful if actions & behaviours are safe & kind for others & themselves

For families:

• Encourage each other to take time out to do what makes them happy – very important for mothers because if they look after themselves they look after everyone else better
• Watch a movie together where zeal is practiced – eg. ‘Rudi’ – a true story
• Discuss what causes you are all passionate about

For businesses & organisations:

• Talk with employees to discover their beliefs regarding the service the business provides & how it could improve
• Be enthusiastic in serving your customers – with excellence
• Be 100% present with all tasks – it supports you in doing the best job possible