Each one of us has special qualities and virtues and yet we tend to get caught up in our busy lives and fail to think about the best in ourselves.
So, let us spend a little time on ourselves now.
What are your special qualities and virtues? Write down five of your good points, your virtues and qualities. Take your time. Think of times in your life when others have appreciated these qualities and told you about them. Or just consider your good points and when your strengths have helped you out in difficult situations.
Do you have a good sense of humour? Do you have the ability to appreciate others? Can you be patient with others? Do you have a sweet nature? Are you sensitive to the needs of others? Do you have good manners? Do you find a nice way to communicate with others so as not to hurt their feelings or be rude to them?
These are all virtues and good qualities. What are your main virtues and good qualities? Write your list. Then think of a symbol, which embodies these. For example, you may have patience, be loving, tolerant of others, slow to anger, and be introverted so you do not disturb others. The symbol for you then could be a dove, which is a symbol of peace. You may be a loyal friend, trusting and worthy of trust, a hard worker, humble and innocent. Your symbol may be a fragrant white jasmine flower.
Or you may be strong, able to help others in trouble, stable and steadfast, tolerant of others and good-natured. Your symbol could be a diamond, which is the most durable gemstone. Your symbol might be a flower, an animal, a jewel or even a place.
You might be clear and honest, which is refreshing like a beach on a clear sunny morning. So your qualities could be clear, honest, clean-hearted, truthful and straightforward. Your symbol could be a beach at sunrise with clean white sand, blue waves and palm trees blowing in a fresh breeze.
Another example could be that you are sweet, strong, good company, attractive and sociable. Your symbol could be a single long-stemmed deep red rose. Now you are aware of your best qualities and virtues, can you use this awareness to benefit yourself and others? Yes, you can.
We all have a good side. And we all have a bad side. If someone ‘pushes our buttons’, we may display the bad side. At such a time think of your symbol and it will remind you of your good qualities. This will help you remain uninfluenced by that person. You will be able to continue to show only your good self.
Don’t be shy about showing your good qualities. People need good souls around them. This gives others strength and reassures them, giving them hope and encouragement. Let your best side shine. Bring it out into the open for others to see.
People want to be appreciated. They want a smiling face and a ready ear to listen to them.They want someone who will give them the room to express themselves from the heart, and say what is truly on their minds. It is liberating to be able to express yourself freely and to be able to trust that the one listening will be open to understand your feelings and needs.
Let us think about a rose for a moment. A rose is strong. It has thorns for protection and a strong stem. It can stand the heat on a hot day. At the same time it gives such a beautiful fragrance for all to appreciate. It does not withhold its fragrance from anyone.
Like a rose, if I let my good qualities emerge and show them for the world to see, I am giving these qualities to others. I am not withholding my goodness. From my conduct, my actions, my words and body language it will be seen that I am open and giving.
If I am strong enough to be open and true, many benefits will flow to me. When someone is open with us, we feel that we are able to trust that individual. Good relationships are built on trust. True life-long friendships may then be formed.
When we are open and honest, conflicts can be avoided, as others are clear what our intentions are and they know they can work openly with us.
So, let’s not hide our good qualities and virtues, but share them with others, thus enriching our own lives and the lives of all those we encounter.
