Frontline's Virtues

 Virtues are traits, behaviors, and habits that show good moral character. They help form a sound foundation for a positive life. Not free from troubles, but a mountain, steadily weathering any storm.

The first virtue to be discussed is prudence. First in terms of order, not important. Ever have a moment in life when you rushed into something heedlessly and have the endeavor blow up in your face? Me too. Being prudent means to be patient and careful in all that we do. A successful endeavor requires thoughtful planning. Example, before hopping on a fad diet you heard on the news, you should research it as best you can. Then talk to a healthcare professional who knows your medical history. Afterwards, you should plan out your approach to optimize success in a care filled and honest way. Example, if you know if you'll ultimately fail at eating chicken and broccoli everyday, research and plan an alternative.

Justice! I want justice! We hear that bounce around all the time. However, most people seem to mean revenge rather than justice. Justice has a deeper meaning than just getting what you think you deserve from others or life. It involves being open-minded, observant, and empathetic when dealing with others and yourself. It is also about practicing fairness, caring, and understanding. It is about a balance of getting what you need while giving others what they need. It may seem nice to get what we want and need all the time. But this isn't fair to others who constantly have their needs disregarded in our quests to have ours met. This certainly is not justice. Having everyone's needs met, equally, seems far more just to me.

Fortitude. As I was growing up I learned this to mean, one’s capacity to stand tall and take any beating without even a whimper. It does mean to have endurance while navigating life's difficult waters. Take the above mentioned diet. Showing strength when faced with the strong want for a bag of chips, despite the knowledge that it provides a short-term relief. It is also showing the strength to be honest to yourself and others when something is not working, or more so to ask for help when needed. Also to have the courage to engage in confrontation. Confront fears, intimidations, and limitations.

Temperance, last but not the least important. We typically view abstaining as temperance or minimizing our unhealthy activities and substances. That is part of it, but temperance encompasses more. I view temperance more like a balance between needs. For example, you can work too much, but equally you can rest too much. All work and no play does make me a dull boy, but it also creates anxiety, isolation, and fatigue. On the other half, excessive rest and relaxation will leave your necessities and responsibilities undone. We can apply this balance to all our wants and needs: food, entertainment, stimulation, and expression.

These virtues are called the cardinal virtues. They go back as far in recorded history as ancient Greece, but likely originated before. However, they have been adopted and explored by many since. Why? Because they are universal, apt regardless of the era, and they work.

Check out the companion soundtrack at https://soundcloud.com/michael-doucette-514549408/virtue?si=cb28e142f27a41adb9442525d218931d&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing.

Check out the YouTube video at https://youtu.be/eUl5Lqjo-zg.

Be well,

Sensei Mike