In a world where differences cast a shadow over our shared humanity, virtues transcend boundaries and cultural divides. There are more than a hundred virtues that are universal and timeless. They speak to our better angels. Further, living a virtuous life isn’t just good for the soul — it’s a game-changer for your overall well-being.
Wonder how virtues impact your happiness?
Check this out… Harvard researchers say being kind and grateful is like a mental health boost. And those at UC Berkeley found that virtues like kindness amp up the trust and good vibes in communities. Plus, there are several studies about the science of gratitude, including one published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology that says performing acts of kindness and other virtuous acts gives your life purpose and a happiness kick.
So, it’s not just fluff; science backs up the perks of being virtuous. Go on, sprinkle some goodness — it’s not only good for others; it’s good for you!
Inspired during the pandemic
Inspired by The Virtues ProjectTM, Allison, my wife, and I hosted a series of virtual devotional gatherings during the pandemic where friends and neighbors gathered to reflect on a virtue.
As Baháʼís, we believe that humanity’s spiritual, intellectual and moral capacities have been cultivated through the successive teachings of the Founders of the world’s religions. With one virtue in mind each month, we curated a collection of teachings from many faiths and combined those divinely inspired words with non-secular quotes from well-known people. For variety, we also sprinkled in a few related You-Tube videos to create an uplifting program where we invited each participant to play a part by reading a slide if they wanted.
While we prepared the program with different traditions represented, we intentional created a safe space where people could share something additional that inspired them. At the end of each program, we invited participants to reflect on a question and share from their own personal experience.
These virtue-inspired programs served as a way station for our friends and neighbors, providing them with a welcome break from the stressful pace of daily life.
Reflections on Gratitude
For over a year, we hosted monthly devotionals, each one focused on a single virtue like kindness, truthfulness, justice and mindfulness. One of the first in the series focused on gratitude.
Gratitude, a golden thread woven through the fabric of human history, connects us all, regardless of our faith or affiliation. It’s the recognition that in every corner of the globe, in every age, people have found solace, purpose and inspiration in expressing gratitude.
We invite you to explore the beauty of gratitude as a common language that unites us, transcending the diverse paths of faith that have shaped our collective journey. Let’s delve into one of the many virtues: Gratitude.
Once you launch the program, you may experience it at your own pace.
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Gratitude and me
While gratitude has always played a pivotal role in my life, shaping my perspective and fostering a positive outlook, surviving my battle with cancer raised my personal relationship with gratitude to a new level.
I’ve found that you can’t be angry, frustrated, stressed, sad or any other emotion and grateful at the same time.
– Al Viller
When a negative emotion wells up inside, experience it fully… but just don’t stay there too long. When you’re ready, perhaps even before… find something to be grateful for. Every situation is different, but armed with the perspective that there are others in this world who are facing more difficult hardships contributes to increased empathy and a greater sense of gratitude.
Gratitude will lift your spirits and give you the strength you need to move from “going through it” to “growing through it.”
Parting Thoughts
Virtues speak to our better angels. Every tradition on the planet – secular and nonsecular – talks about them, and the world is a better place when we bring them to life. They’re the divine qualities that make our spirits soar.
Virtues are like a GPS for our souls, helping us navigate the twists and turns on this highway we call “life.” They’re the qualities that make up the content of our character; the fuel that propels us towards a rich life full of purpose, joy and meaningful connections.
Thinking of virtues in another way, view them as your co-pilot or travel buddy that provides direction and offers a unique perspective, especially when you reach a fork in the road. And just like a trusted travel companion on a well-planned road trip, virtues make the ride smoother, more enjoyable, and full of meaningful rest stops that shape the adventure of our lives. See them as your secret circle of mentors, guiding and encouraging you to live your best life.
As Bahá’ís, we work to acquire these divine qualities that we believe we’ll also need in the life to come. Acquiring virtues is a life-long journey, one whose destination is always on the horizon. But oh, what a horizon it is…
Inspire on!