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The Virtues Gazette Bringing Virtues To Life |
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The Virtues Gazette Bringing Virtues To Life |
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The Virtues Gazette is a FREE monthly e-zine that brings you practical ways to boost "moral intelligence" in homes, schools and communities. Subscribe Previous Issues
Author/Publisher: Nancy Watters, Watters & Associates, British Columbia, Canada Home Page
Feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends and colleagues.
TO BOOK Nancy Watters phone toll free 866-386-0253 or e-mail
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. EVENTS Complete Schedule Registration Form Phone registration: 1-866-386-0253
"The most profound professional workshop that I have attended in years." Gillian Krantz, Educator, Abbottsford, BC about The Virtues Project
OCTOBER 24, 2003--SHAPING CHARACTER: CREATING A CULTURE OF VIRTUES IN OUR SCHOOLS-- a professional development workshop that introduces The Virtues Project™ to educators, administrators, counselors and parents. Victoria, BC.
OCTOBER 17-19, 2003--AWAKENING THE VIRTUES WITHIN-Introduction to The Virtues Project--a personal and professional development program at a serene retreat center, in Victoria, Canada. Experience transformative activities that inspire the practice of virtues in everyday life. Learn five skills used worldwide in classrooms, homes and workplaces to raise morally conscious children, create peaceful schools, enhance workforce integrity, and cultivate personal growth. Fulfills the prerequisite for facilitator training.
About the facilitator, Nancy Watters About The Virtues Project
2. VIRTUE OF THE MONTH--PATIENCE
PATIENCE-"ability to endure delay, hardship, provocation. Perseverance or forbearance." Oxford Pocket English Dictionary
"PATIENCE is quiet hope and trust, expecting things to turn out all right. Patience is being calm and tolerant when difficult things happen. It means showing acceptance when you or others make mistakes. Patience is doing something now so that later it will bear fruit, like planting a seed and waiting for it to grow. Patience is a commitment to the future." The Virtues Project Educator's Guide
In the book Sacred Moments, Linda Popov writes, "Early one morning of women's healing retreat, I focused in meditation on the ten participants. This is the meditation which came for Kathy, who was a giggler, a joker, and had never been to anything like this before. When the meditation came, I did not yet know that she was a mother, a recovering alcoholic and a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. She wept when she read the meditation aloud later that morning, and it gave her the courage to tell her story for the first time."
The road is rough
And I am strong.
I am a runner.
I have the patience
To go through my fires
For they are cleansing to my spirit.
I am a warrior.
I battle for my children
And for the child within
Who has never lost her purity.
Is something in your life "trying your patience"? When this happens to me, I try to think of it as an opportunity for inner growth. The situation is an opportunity to become more serene and "unflappable". Each time we respond to the stresses of life with inner calm, we strengthen our power of patience. Gradually the smaller annoyances of day-to-day life don't even hit our stress radar screen. What a nice benefit! More peace. More joy. It is from this perspective that I recognize that the biggest tests in my life have given me the greatest gifts.
Children light up when we recognize that they are practicing patience. It is particularly encouraging when we notice that they are trying very hard, even if they aren't quite succeeding yet. We can say, "Congratulations on using your patience! You waited for a turn to jump on the trampoline." For one child, this might mean that they waited five minutes. For another it might be 30 seconds. The harder it is, the more worthy of recognition. It's the effort that builds inner strength-in this case patience.
Patience can be learned at any age. I recently had the pleasure of spending a month visiting my newborn grandson. I observed his struggles to be patient when he was hungry, his frustration with hiccoughs, and the challenge of getting himself to back to sleep at night. Gradually, with the help of his parents, he has learned to calmly manage all these tasks. He is already learning to exercise patience. (And so are his parents!)
Elizabeth Crary has written a series of books that teach children skills to solve various social problems. The book "I Can't Wait" is a great resource for teaching patience. Luke wants to jump on a mattress, and the rule is "one child at a time." The readers are asked, "What can Luke do?" Eight possible solutions are listed in the book. Children can choose to hear how the story ends with each possibility. After reading the results, the reader is asked, "How did Luke feel? "How did Amy feel?" "What else could they do?" Some of the strategies that are presented include fussing, looking in your pockets, try convincing the other person to let you share a turn, sing a silly song, be mean, play with a friend, ask for help or play with a puzzle. Studies have shown that the more ideas a child has in social situations, the better his or her adjustment will be. Discussion of this story with its multiple endings can reinforce patient behavior and demonstrate in concrete ways that everyone is happier when we use this power within us.
Ask children what tries their patience and make up a story about it. Then brainstorm solutions and consider which ones are the most effective. Which solutions help everyone to feel happier and more peaceful? Probably the ones in which you use patience. Come to think of it, wouldn't this be helpful for adults too? Here's wishing you a month full of the blessings that flow from patience.
WORDS OF WISDOM:
"Genius is nothing but a greater aptitude for patience." Benjamin Franklin
"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble." Plautus
"Patience may be defined as that quality of life which makes suffering creative; and impatience as that whereby suffering becomes a destructive force." Robert Llewelyn
"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." John Quincy Adams
"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself." Saint Francis de Sales
WAYS TO PRACTICE PATIENCE:
Reprinted with permission from The Virtues Project Educator's GuideACTION IDEA:
- Calmly tolerate a delay or confusion
- Be willing to wait for things you want
- Set goals and stick with them until they are finished
- Do something now that will help you in the future
- Accept things you cannot change with humor and grace
- Be tolerant when mistakes are made
When difficulties arise, it helps to create a "game plan". It's easier to be patient when we see step-by-step progress towards a goal. Start by clearly defining the problem. Then list 1) ways you could lessen or eliminate it or 2) things you could do to help you endure it. List as many ideas as you can-the sillier the better. Sometimes those silly ideas lead to very creative solutions. Now choose the most workable ideas and make a realistic schedule for completing them. Keep picturing the positive result in your mind and repeat positive thoughts to yourself (see below). When you have completed your plan, reward yourself. You have just boosted your Patience Quotient!
AFFIRMATIONS: Reprinted with permission from The Virtues Project Educator's Guide
"I am patient. I am gentle with others and myself when we make mistakes. I wait calmly. I trust that things will turn out right."
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:
What helps me to remain patient in the face of difficulties?
When has patience helped me transform my suffering?
3. VIRTUE GEMS--INSPIRATIONAL AND HUMOROUS STORIES
EDUCATORS DEMONSTRATE COMMITMENT AND CARING IN PAW PAW, MICHIGAN
Imagine a group of 30 educators voluntarily returning to school during the first two days of their summer vacation! Well that is just what happened recently in Paw Paw, Michigan. I had the privilege of providing Virtues Project training to this very dedicated group. Over the course of the two days they revised their mission statement to incorporate the virtues of respect, responsibility and cooperation. They chose nine virtues to be used for a "virtue of the month" program. And they began planning a school-wide behavior management program based on virtues. These educators recognize that building good character is the foundation for success in school and in life. By weaving character education throughout all aspects of school life, they will create a caring climate that boosts academic achievement and helps all students achieve their best. These educators, like many others, are committed to implementing a high quality character education program. They have already formed a 16 member committee to sustain its activities. Congratulations, Paw Paw Later Elementary for your example of excellence!
DO YOU HAVE A HUMOROUS OR INSPIRING STORY OF Virtues in Action TO SHARE? Send your stories to
Submission Guidelines©2003 Watters & Associates Webmaster
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