Friday, March 14, 2008

A Virtuous Moment!

"Virtue is that perfect good which is the
complement of a happy life;
the only immortal thing
that belongs to mortality."
-Seneca

Just had an interesting conversation with a friend. We were discussing some hot topics common to both of us. Things that made us feel disgusted...angry...anxious...abandoned. Yet, she somehow wove the word "virtue" into the conversation, and the lack of it; and we each stopped and realized there were more "virtues" in what we were negatively discussing, than worthy of the negative conversation. We were dwelling on the minimal irritations, over the good. Hmmm. A common occurrence for us all, but an opportunity to delve into the word and its magnitude; not to mention the benefit of recognizing the virtues that stare us boldly in the face. Having now outed myself as a news junky yesterday, obviously nails me for being overly intrigued by the pessimistic and weirdly bizarre. Need to work on that...

But in the interim, I immediately went home to look up the word and properly define its meaning and had an epiphany. Virtue surrounds us constantly. Finding virtue in everyday occasions, actions and events is easy. We must re-arrange our minds to find it and nurture it. Our busy lifestyles and the multi-tasking mantra we all live by, only puts a spotlight on the things that disrupt the process. So, it is up to us to alter the significance of the negative speed bump.

This entry into the blog is obviously the need for a vacation....waaaay too deep. With that knowledge...blogging may be erratic for a while...going to get some R & R with the family. Just don't forget to enjoy the speed bumps, it might give you the opportunity to absorb a virtuous moment!

4 comments:

Whitney Johnson said...

Thanks for your comments on my blog, Alexa. I will e-mail you about the shirts. Back at ya a little bit with the "deep talk" - I think that gratitude really helps us to be virtuous, positive, and successful when we encounter life's speed bumps. I find that I can quickly alter moods and moments when I focus on being grateful (my magic spell - works on my kids, too. Ha!). Remember that March is Optimism Month. :) Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, as the old song goes... Hope you have a great day!
-Whitney

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this interesting post on virtue. Since my language is not English this inspired me too look up the word, and learn more about it.

melissa ellen parker said...

I love your work! I came to your link through Today's Creative Blog. I thought I was just going to see more of your wonderful pieces and then I had the chance to read your post that really made me think.

Thanks for sharing!

melissa ellen parker said...

I love your work! I came to your link through Today's Creative Blog. I thought I was just going to see more of your wonderful pieces and then I had the chance to read your post that really made me think.

Thanks for sharing!