SIGHTS

It sounds impossible or childish to speak of virtues. And, then to ask how we might SEE or SIGHT a virtue?  Really? Seeing a virtue in the world? Is this Sunday School question? Seeing a virtue in action is not something an adult in this day and age might even seriously consider in my neighborhood.

Yet, despite the apparent ridiculous nature of the idea of seeing random acts of virtue, I have just set up a blog for a Calendar of Virtues. It is a monthly exercise aimed at getting people to stop by, get the monthly  virtue transition, then look around and see if it appears in the world or in our lives. 

Here is what happens if you set aside your quite natural and quite intellectually correct assumptions about how the world works – and how things appear.

First, visit the blog between now  and August 20 and you’ll see:

 www.calendarofvirtues.blogspot.com

The Virtue for July 21 – August 20 is:  THE VIRTUE OF  COMPASSION LEADS TO FREEDOM

OPPOSITE: HEARTLESSNESS

The virtues change on the 21^st of each month.

Here’s what happened to me: I was thinking that it is impossible for this virtue – COMPASSION -  (or ANY virtue) to appear at all. How can a virtue appear?

Then a flyer came through the mail about a summer, local, free lunch program for kids 18 – years and younger – because school lunch programs are done for the school year – none for summer.

Bingo, bango, bongo – right on cue – Compassion.  Interesting. How did life do that?

Did it lead to freedom? Well, yeah! Freedom from want. Freedom from hunger. Parents working three jobs got a little freedom.

               But, doesn’t a virtue sometimes not work out so well?

I thought about people who have great compassion and care for someone; show GREAT compassion, so much compassion that they have to sacrifice their personal freedom.

The people who care for someone many times sacrifice their freedom;  through compassion. But, many times the  sacrifice of one leads to freedom for the other for whom they care – freedom from pain, maybe; freedom from loneliness, certainly; freedom to focus on recovery.

An example from nature:  momma birds have compassion (or duty), built in by Mother Nature.

In the birdie’s case, Momma’s compassion, getting the worms, day-after-day eventually leads to a nest full of fledglings and then…

Bingo-Bango-Bongo – flight! Yeah! Freedom!

I – n – t – e - r-  e – s – t – I – n – g!

How about the opposite? Heartlessness?  No prob! I got a whole election season and TV news for that. And that leads to freedom to use the off button on that baby!

(c) Copyright 2019, Jean W. Yeager

All Rights Reserved

ACTION RESEARCH INTO "VIRTUE TRANSITIONS" - YOU'RE INVITED

FEB 21 – MAR 20: 

Magnanimity Becomes Love
OPPOSITE: Criticism, Comment

https://calendarofvirtues.blogspot.com/2015/03/calendar-of-virtues-feb-21-mar-20.html

You are invited to follow along with the calendar and post your insights each month.

1) HOW DOES THIS WORK? During the specific period from the 21st of one month to the 20th of the next, consider the virtue transition set - and the opposite. Observe nature and yourself.

It is never clear to me during the period how the transformation can or will be achieved in nature - or within myself. But, this is a meditative exercise and we are asking you to share your experience of the transformation of one virtue to the other. Just re-read the transition as stated. Then observe nature - or a part of nature - and consider the transition statement again. Then, how is it for you? And, consider the opposite. See if an insight, feeling or phrase arises for you. Write that down and post it. How you get that insight - may or may not be similar to anyone else's experience. That's why this is research. There is no one answer.

2) Then, when you are approaching the 20th of the month - the end of the period - you are welcome to come back to the bLog and post brief (150 - 200 words or so) insights in the COMMENTS section on the appropriate post. You can post at any time.

3) The next period begins the 21st.

https://goo.gl/ZuVPjf

CALENDAR OF VIRTUES JAN 21 - FEB 20

ABOUT THE CALENDAR OF VIRTUES

    The Calendar of Virtues represents a year-round opportunity to practice Virtue Transitions while outer nature is going through analogous changes. Your inner practice will be reflected in the outer world which can strengthen your experience. PLEASE POST YOUR INSIGHTS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.

CALENDAR OF VIRTUES JAN 21 – FEB 20: 

Discretion Becomes Meditative Strength

Opposite: Criticism, Comments

By Jean Yeager

IN NATURE

            A Time of Testing - This last summer I watched two bull elk who were grazing near one another. At first it appeared that they were simply grazing and paying one another no mind. This was several weeks before the “rutting season” so there was no reason to believe that these bulls were doing anything but grazing. There were no elk cows nearby. Then, slowly, but without obvious sign (at least to this human observer) one bull turned a particular angle, lowered his head and suddenly “game on”! They moved slowly, but forcefully together and locked horns. They backed off and re-connected again. They pushed, twisted and struggled for a short time. Then, they went back to grazing placidly as if nothing happened.

            Such testing seemed like a “dress rehearsal” for the intensity of the competitive breeding which began in a few weeks. Even animals will “size up” a situation and use some sort of judgment to enter in or depart.

IN THE HUMAN BEING

             I once invented a children’s toy called the “Wishing Star”. It was handmade and I test marketed them at a local Renaissance Faire before trying to sell them nationwide. I was discreet in my selling learning what people thought about the product, my selling price and so forth before risking my hard-earned funds on what could have been a risky endeavor. My small, well planned experiences helped me feel inwardly strong about my risk.

OPPOSITE: CRITICISM, COMMENT

Self-criticism or “second guessing” is a terrible thing to observe. Self-confidence, realistic assessment of self, is important. However, taking it too far and becoming arrogant can be dangerous. Not too far one way or the other is a discreet balance.

STARTING FEBRUARY 21 WE WILL BEGIN 

OBSERVING A NEW VIRTUES PAIR:

Magnanimity Becomes Love

Opposite: Pettiness

FEEL FREE TO POST A COMMENT ON PREVIOUS POSTS

© Copyright 2015, Jean W. Yeager

All Rights Reserved

https://goo.gl/i7ZNnu

POST NOW! CALENDAR OF VIRTUES - MAY 21 - JUNE 20 - "Perseverence becomes Faithfulness"

THIS MONTH’S VIRTUE TRANSITION:

Perseverance becomes Faithfulness

Opposite: Giving up – loss of grip

PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK AND POST YOUR INSIGHTS 

IN THE COMMENTS SECTION AT THE

CALENDAR OF VIRTUES BLOGSPOT DOT COM

www.calendarofvirtues.
blogspot.com

If you have difficulties using "comments" EMAIL YOUR POST to:
3simplequestions@gmail.com

ABOUT THE CALENDAR OF VIRTUES

    The Calendar of Virtues represents a year-round opportunity to practice Virtues while outer nature is going through analogous changes. The hypothesis asks how seasonal changes in the outer world may be reflected in your inner life.

RULES:

    You are invited to follow along with the calendar.

    1) During the specific period of the virtue transformation pay attention to the specific virtue within yourself and within nature at the start of the period and then the transition to the second virtue. Make notes if you like.

    2) Then, when the period is over, I will post the virtue pair and you are welcome to post your brief reflections. (150 to 200 words max.) Practice the virtue of brevity.

PLEASE POST YOUR INSIGHTS, COMMENTS OR EXPERIENCES STARTING JUNE 20

BEGINNING JUNE 21 WE WILL TAKE UP A NEW VIRTUE PAIR:

June 21 – July 20: Selflessness becomes Catharsis

OPPOSITE: Self-absorption, willfulness

July 21 – August 20: Compassion leads to Freedom

OPPOSITE: Heartlessness

August 21 – September 20: Courtesy becomes Tactfulness of Heart

OPPOSITE: Inconsiderateness