Health and Character

In Go Boldly and More, I noted...

• "Last Week, I shared on?7 Virtues for the Week?as part of a?119 Day exploration of Character Intelligence. We started with?Acceptance?and?Accountability?and moved on to the those previously noted 7 for?last?Week. And now, we move on to?another?7 for the Week of May 22 through 28 or whenever you read this, lol. Batter up!"

So... thus far, we have offered up on some 16 Virtues.

Then, just this morning, in The Other Side, I said that I am...

• "electing to pour myself into a Fitness Challenge in a group of which I have been a part for some time now. My road back to optimal health has been steady, but it needs a fierce focus,?right now."

With that in mind, I am opting to forge one mega blog here for June, that I will regularly share. It, and A PEACE of WORK, will be my blog offerings during this sojourn.

First, the Strategies of The Virtues Project

The intent here, is to first remind on the 5 Strategies?of?The Virtues Project, as per the?Official Site... which include:

SPEAK THE LANGUAGE

• Language shapes character. The way we speak to one another, and the words we use, have great power to discourage or to inspire. Learn how to speak the language of virtues when acknowledging, guiding and correcting to bring out the best in one another. When we speak the language of virtues we replace shaming and blaming of one another with gentle reminders of who we are and how we want to be.

RECOGNIZE TEACHABLE MOMENTS

• Recognizing the gifts and life lessons in our daily challenges helps us to cultivate our character. In everything there is virtue, either virtues being practiced or virtues needed. When we see any situation through the lens of virtues, we become more aware of the virtues we need to call on and the virtues that are already guiding us.

SET CLEAR BOUNDARIES

• Boundaries keep us safe. In The Virtues Project, boundaries are based on virtues. What virtues are needed? How do we practice them? This practice creates clarity and a climate of peace and safety, in all of our relationships-- at home, in school, and in the community. This strategy is needed when we have a problem in any area of our life. Personal boundaries help us to build healthy relationships, and protect our time, our energy and our health.

HONOR THE SPIRIT

• This strategy begins with respect for the dignity of each person and encourages us to make time for wellness, reflection, reverence, and beauty. It is expressing what is meaningful in our lives by participating in the arts, honoring special life events, time in nature, and sharing our stories with each other. What brings you joy?

OFFER COMPANIONING

• Learn how to truly listen and be present to another person. This is the strategy to use when someone else has a problem. One of the greatest gifts we have to give to another is our presence. By being deeply present and listening with both compassion and detachment, we help others to empty their cup and find their own answers. This approach empowers others to discern their teachable moments and to reflect on their virtues.

Second, the Next 33 Days... Exploring Our Humanity

Second, after considering the 5 Strategies noted above, I have often said that our humanity is our highest standard, and inhumanity our lowest. There is nothing "only" about being human. That said, I am intent on finding ever new ways to apply Character to my own health journey; and in this month ahead in particular. To do so, and for us all, I recommend a read of the last blog on same to get your own sense of the application and practice of these 5 Strategies. Then, and up until June 30, as I continue my own journey around health, I offer up these next 33 Virtues from which you can daily practice one a day, or pick certain Virtues of interest to further develop. Either way, it is a virtuous buffet, if you will. And it is a buffet that you can engage for any area of your life, personally and/or professionally. For me, I will be looking each day at how the Virtue of the Day can further my road to better health. So...

May 29

A clear one to start, for me. I will be reflecting on Commitment and its practice. A mentor of mine years ago shared that "Commitment is doing the thing you said you would do when you felt committed, long after you no longer feel committed". It is about the follow through, regardless of feeling. I will sharpen the blades on same these next 33 days.

May 30

From here forward, I will simply suggest that you read and reflect on the Virtue, considering how you better understand its meaning (the language), have learned of its value thus far in life (teachable moments), might consider it possibly part of your own boundaries, how it might be honored in and around you, and how it might possibly better equip ourselves in being present, listening and learning. The practice of Compassion is a good starter. For me, Commitment and Compassion will guide my two step walking through this health journey, indeed and in deed... staying on things and being present and compassionate for myself as I do. Two steps... one two, one two, one two...

May 31

Read and reflect on this one, as noted above. Confidence is more than we think. I will practice it in walking my own self-assured step getting stronger and healthier. You?

And, now for June 1

I will leave you to these for June. Personally, I will be looking that the 5 Strategies as to each daily Virtue and considering how they apply... as I walk this journey. Indeed, I will be considering their application and practice daily...

June 2

June 3

June 4

June 5

June 6

June 7

June 8

June 9

June 10

June 11

June 12

June 13

June 14

June 15

June 16

June 17

June 18

June 19

June 20

June 21

June 22

June 23

June 24

June 25

June 26

June 27

June 28

June 29

and June 30

INTENT

The intent for me is to further explore how character matters... at school, work, business, community, life and health. Health is my prime focus, now.

The intent for you is clearly up to you. Of late, I have been sharing on Spiritual Capital and Noble Code and on Character, Purpose and Unity. I have been blogging on Courage, Openness and Discernment and Moving Forward Together, Stronger... and Simple Business. They are all in play for me, especially and fiercely and enjoyably over these coming weeks. I only and humbly invite you to consider how these strengths of Character might move the proverbial needle for you. I will be sharing and resharing this blog regularly over the next 33 days... as a bit of a dinner table from which any of us can do our own exploring and engaging and enjoying... on Purpose. Character is the soil from which the tree of behaviour grows. If we take care of the soil, the tree takes care of itself. I will be examining this ever more on this road back to optimal health. It will be a high road.

Peace...

Barry Lewis Green, The Unity Guy with Epic Engage.

Me?on LinkedIn

CHECK OUT

• The Character LENS to Lead
• Developing Leadership Character – Ivey Business Journal

• TUGtv
• The Global Goals
• The Virtues Project

Epic Engage

LEAD. INSPIRE. EDUCATE. UNITE.

• You?are an Activant … an Educator, Entrepreneur or Emerging Leader who is looking to make constructive change happen, on the ground, real-world, real-time. You are world-embracing and noble-hearted. You seek to mobilize a strong, united and character-driven team to change the world or your corner of it. You want to lead, inspire, educate and unite in doing so.?Let’s go build a better world!

I?am an Activant too; an Educator and Entrepreneur by experience, education and?Enthusiasm... with 40 years in leadership training and development, 27 years in business college education and 20 years certified and associated with?The Virtues Project. Additionally certified for 16 years in Temperament Assessment and with a longstanding body of work around Character Leadership, I help advance?conversation, consultation and capacity around?Character,?Purpose?and?Unity...?and?the?global goals. My work in business and education is to help those building a better world at school, work, business and community; locally and globally.?Humans together, strong.... that is?my?meaning... and?the space I can stay forever. To that?just cause, I commit.