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What it Means to be Open

1/30/2016

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By ​Nicole Slaughter-Graham
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​​I’ve been reading Dr. Brene Brown’s Daring Greatly, and I can’t help but think of the parallels between the book’s main focus—vulnerability—and the virtue of Openness.
 
Dr. Brown’s book centers on the importance of vulnerability and how we as a society need to embrace vulnerability as an asset rather than a short-coming. She describes vulnerability as the stripping away of ego so that one can show his or her true self to the world. She states that the ability to be vulnerable—to make mistakes, speak our truth, and listen with an open mind—are necessary to connect with others, and connection with others is of the utmost importance for humankind.

Her philosophy mirrors the virtue of Openness. This particular virtue requires “being honest, clear and sincere, and sharing who we are and what we feel without pretense."


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You Might Not be as Empathetic as You Thought

11/30/2015

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By Nicole Graham-Slaughter
NPR recently reported that we are less empathetic when we’ve been through the same situation as someone else. So wait… what does this mean? According to NPR, if someone comes to you needing sympathy because they’re struggling with the burden of being a single parent, but you too, are a single parent, then you might not have as much empathy as someone who isn’t a single parent.
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When I first heard this, I thought there was no way it was true. Surely, someone who’s been through the same situation as another person would have more empathy right? They know where that person is coming from. They can identify with the feelings and burdens that situation entails, right? Apparently not. According to NPR’s social science correspondent, Shankar Vedantam, a person who has been through the same predicament you have is going to show less empathy because he or she deals with that same problem on a daily basis. It’s actually better to reach out to someone who hasn’t experienced your hardship if you want to receive empathy. 

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A Little Diligence Did the Trick

11/27/2015

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By Nicole Graham-Slaughter, freelance writer and journalist.
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About a week ago, I found myself at my desk doing anything but my job. Though I had projects to start (and projects to finish) and deadlines to hit, I couldn’t seem to muster up the discipline to get things done. I was surfing Facebook, allowing myself to get distracted by interesting headlines and useless quizzes.
 
Subconsciously, I’d pulled my old procrastination habit out of the closet for another go. Deadlines started creeping up or my manager would ask me about my progress o a specific project, and I’d scramble to accumulate information and put haphazard finishing touches on assignments.
 
And then I was sent to a conference for work. One of the first sessions was on office etiquette and how to win over customers. Though not directly related to customer service, a point the presenter made resonated with me to the core. She said, “Under promise, and over deliver. If you say you’ll have something to someone by Wednesday, get it to them on Tuesday at the latest.”
 
Simple. And yet so powerful.

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Balance Your Virtues

10/15/2015

 
By Linda Kavelin-Popov, Co-founder of The Virtues Project
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In our upcoming trip out of these islands, which have become our home, Dan and I have agreed to briefly come out of retirement to speak at conferences and facilitate some healing work with First Nations. It is work we love, so it is likely to empower us rather than drain us. We're praying and reflecting on what we, as elders, can share.
More than two and a half decades of writing about the Divine virtues, constantly studying and trying to live by them, I am still in awe of them. One reason is that there is always more to learn. I believe it is because they are the infinite qualities of God and of our souls, as we attempt to reflect the image and likeness of our Creator


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Having the Courage to Change

9/15/2015

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By: Jessica Scott, Secretary for the Virtues Circle
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I remember the first day of Kindergarten. The crowded hallways, people I didn’t know and the unfamiliarity of it all – I began to cry, because I knew my mom was going to leave me, and I just couldn’t understand why she would leave me in such a strange place with all of those strangers. I was terrified. But leaving wasn’t an option, so I had to muster up the courage and get on with it. My mom dried my tears and I entered the classroom, scared out of my mind.


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Loosing Weight with Virtues: Cultivating Perseverance

9/7/2015

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By: Cathy Burns, President of Virtues Circle
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Credit: The Virtues Project™ Reflection Cards
Last week was the first in a series of articles about my journey with weight loss and the virtues I am calling upon to help me.

The first was Creativity: finding new and innovative ways to incorporate healthy foods into my lifestyle, regardless of which eating plan I choose, and trying interesting and fun avenues for exercise.­

This week I have been traveling and have been outside my structured environment and routine that has thus far kept me on track. With challenges ahead, I focused on the virtue of Perseverance.

Perseverance is about overcoming obstacles and challenges while remaining steadfast and committed. It requires patience, determination and discernment. I have always loved how each virtue builds on and incorporates several others.

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Losing Weight with Virtues: Creativity, Diet and Exercise

8/31/2015

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By Cathy Burns, President of Virtues Circle
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My blood pressure was in the 150’s/100’s again. The doctor added a 3rd medication to control my hypertension. I had quit smoking 3 ½ years ago, in the hopes of avoiding the same fate as my father: a heart attack in his 50’s followed by a fatal one in his 60’s. Not smoking has certainly added years to my life, but my health was still at risk. I was about 5 pounds into the obese range for my height. I needed to loose at least 45 pounds. A chronic back condition had made exercising a challenge. I felt I was at a turning point. Something had to be done.

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On Showing Grace to Others

8/30/2015

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By Nicole Graham Slaughter, Guest Blogger
Grace



Grace is a virtue that stems directly from our connection to the Divine. This implies that we understand that we are loved and provided for in all situations. To extend Grace to others is to make more room for Grace in our own lives. 

Start with Yourself

Love Yourself
There’s a saying that you cannot love another if you don’t love yourself, and the same is true for showing Grace.  Generally, we treat others the way we treat ourselves to some degree. If we are too critical of ourselves, we are oftentimes too critical of others also. This prohibits us from showing true Grace to others. In order to show Grace to those around us, we must believe that it exists for ourselves. The Virtues Project teaches that, “As we connect deeply with Grace, we become the presence of Grace.” In order to connect deeply with Grace, we must continuously foster our connection with the Divine. 


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6 Ways to Apply Enthusiasm in Your Everyday Life

8/20/2015

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By Jessica Scott, Treasurer for the Virtues Circle
Enthusiasm
I chose to write about Enthusiasm this month, but the irony is that I didn’t feel very enthusiastic when it came time to write. Once I finally sat down to ponder Enthusiasm and put my fingers to the keyboard, I began to feel inspired with the idea of finding joy in the simplest of things.  You see, I tend to over-complicate things and if I feel overwhelmed, I hold back, but once I take the initiative to engage with the action I have been putting off, I feel an excitement and go for it wholeheartedly. I begin to realize that the tasks or actions are actually quite simple; the complication was just a manifestation of my thinking.


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Appreciation

8/17/2015

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by Ellen Menna, Treasurer, Virtues Circle
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Drinking deeply of the beauty and pleasures life offers, we don't waste a single day.
                   ~ The Vitues Project™ Reflection Cards

The Virtue of Appreciation is one we try to practice continuously here at the Virtues Circle! It encourages us to be thankful for the many gifts we each contribute in sharing our message with our fellows.

What it is

Appreciation is the practice of recognizing the blessings in our life and showing thanks for them. When we are Appreciative, we naturally practice other virtues such as Gratitude, Thoughtfulness, Kindness and Respect.

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