Make It a COOL May

COOLness. Of late, I have undertaken an exercise to merge and marry several bodies of work around Character and Temperament. I am still in the midst of same. But, an early result was to identify and lay claim to 8 Virtues that form what I call the Matriarchy of Virtue... and they do marry those bodies of work indeed. More to come on that over the Spring and Summer. For now, the 8 include:

• Wholiness as the Great Grandmother.
• COOLness as the Grandmother.

• KNOWledge, Adoration, UPRIGHTness. Balance, Fervor and Meekness as the Mother Virtues.

And then there are the hundreds upon hundreds of strengths of Character we call Virtues. The 118 I have noted are but a slice. I have often suggested that the Virtues are the faces, facets and forms of Character and that that implies that Character goes far beyond simply being "good" or "strong". And Character matters.

A Course Correction

That all said, I am making a course correction. I had intended, starting yesterday, to take the next Year and do a 7 day rotation on COOLness to Meekness, in practice... and as it pertained to my Health and Service forward. I noted as much in A PEACE of WORK.... and Reclamation and Character. I started that Initiative last evening but then, amidst prayer and meditation, I had the thought that my exploration of these 8 noted is best done 1 at a time... and over a month each... leading to an 8 month exercise and experiment leading up to January 2024.

The New Course of Action

COOLness will be deeply explored in May.

Then, KNOWledge in June.

Then, Adoration in July.

Then, UPRIGHTness in August.

And, Balance in September.

Fervor, in October.

And, Meekness in November.

Leaving Wholiness for December.

This will provide ample time to study, practice and advance my own Understanding of these Virtues and how they constructively apply to (and impact upon) my physical health and better sense of Service. And these Virtues and their identification and exploration are inspired my my love of these Words.

Being generous in prosperity and thankful in adversity is a practice of Steadfastness and Trust born of this quality I reclaim in COOLness, I submit. Being consistent and trustworthy is as well. As I read and speak aloud these words, they whisper to me of COOLness in Countenance and Gait.

For Now

And all of this is to say, this month is about exploring COOLness.

I will reflect upon the Card, imagine what it might look like in Countenance and Gait, and act upon it... noticing, observing and learning. I will find resources of value and use. I will fondly remember #bestlittledogintheworld Panda who taught me so very much, including lessons in COOLness which she just understood innately. My intent now is to Weekly blog and vlog on COOLness before moving onto the following Virtues.

The questions I ask myself are what would needing to prove nothing look like this Month? What would balanced and temperate look like? What would a higher practice of Honor and Love look like? What about seeking to understand and being beautifully comfortable where I am when I am, and walking strong, humble and loving?

Yes, each Week, I will share my studies, practice and observations... to deepen on this COOLness thing; to aim high on it. And I still invite you to either follow. encourage and/or join me on the journey. One way you can do so is to simply join The Wayfarers Virtues Connection where I share blogs, vlogs and resources around Character and Virtue. The space has civil guidelines of engagement including no selling. It is a watering hole for resources that champion Character... and Character Leadership... and the science of Character.... and most certainly The Virtues Project.

For You and Me

But, my question to you and me now is fivefold.

• Where in our life do we need practice COOLness more at this time and forward?
• What would that look like in Countenance and Gait?
• What would be the return on investment in doing so?
• What challenges stand in the way of doing so?

• How can we move beyond those challenges?

These are questions I am pondering even now. The first two, even this morning.

• Where for me is landing on a sense of Next Chapter that is purely simple and clear. Cool.
• Secondly, what does that look like in Countenance and Gait? Well, it begins at courageously and candidly laying claim to what truly matters most to me, Next Chapter. Eyes on the prize. Feet on the ground. Just this morning, I landed on such a simple notion of 4 Peaks... Strength, Service, Simplicity and Soulfulness.

Laying claim is the first. Owning it. Getting clear on this matters.

Then, to walk it.

That is the next three questions... and is the next Month of practice.

COOLness is a Virtue that needs be reclaimed. What matters most to you at this time, such that you would walk towards it with COOLness?

Yeah, COOLness. Imagine it practiced at home, school, business and community. Imagine indeed. Imagine, in deed. Let us do so. Until next Week...

Peace, passion and prosperity...

Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy with Epic Engage

Explore Your Code of Character