Character and Care

Yesterday, I posted on Burn the Ships as well as LEAVE your MARK. I humbly recommend both as read and reflect material.

That said, it got me thinking about the importance of self care in doing both; and that both are actually reflections of self care. That got me thinking as to the connection of Character and Caring. So, I thought to simply offer up some Virtues of Care, if you will... and suggest your own read and reflect on same.

Including Caring, I am offering up some 25 here as a buffet table to consider. I suggest that you browse and determine which ones you most now need to practice for your own self care. Maybe one is Joyfulness.

Then, at the end of this blog, I have a simple two-step ask (not for me, but us all). But first... consider Caring above. Now, here goes another twenty-four.

The Buffet Table

The ASK

Many of these virtues we may already be "good at" with others; but what about with ourselves?

And, I would respectfully suggest that all 118 Virtues with which we work have application for self care directly and indirectly. Character does matter. That said, here is my additional two-step "ASK".

• First, amidst the list above (and indeed the 118), what 2 virtues do you most need practice right now for your own self care? What are your two footprints of self care most needed right now?
• Second, reflect on the two, and ask yourself "What would they look like in real time and real world for me right now?"

Get clear on this. For me, with Candor in mind... Detachment and Grace come to heart and mind. And I will reflect on the practices needed to walk both better during these coming weeks.

How about you? Character matters in self care. Indeed, I am even reminded, as a I write of the virtue of Benevolence. I might add that to my two and consider how I might turn them all on me, for me... as self care. Many virtues, when directed at ourselves as well as others, become effective paths to genuine self care, in practice. Consider that Benevolence toward yourself for example.

More on Care

Practicing virtues with ourselves as much as we do others... that can be a powerful rendition of self care. It can also help us get better at their practice with others. Win. Win. With all of that in mind, I am called to offer up these newest of our conversations on TUGtv. They each speak in some way to this notion, directly or indirectly.

• broadCAST Live with Valerie Hess, Chair of VPIA
• Justice Lead with Kelsey Beson on Equity and Justice
• Talk Reel with Tony Esteves on talking to people
• #hUmaNITY with Miyazaki Haruna
• TUGtalks with Russell Zhetab-Noghui on Nobility

And finally, this from Dan Thurmon on de-stressing. On Facebook yesterday, I posted...

• "After a week or so of needed walking rest... somewhat dialed back.... back at it. Shooting for another drop in pant size by year end. The FOXhole is rockin'. Full standing vision board with sketches of Panda and the boy inside the man. My music... and meaning. One of the long term pendants around my neck is about "do the freakin' work". And so it is... The beast is unleashed again."

My health is about self care. A joyful unleashed approach to it is about same. "Doing ME" engages that Detachment, Grace and Benevolence of above.

My most missed #bestlittledogintheworld Panda manifested it quite naturally, always being herself through thick, thin, trail, trial and triumph alike. I continue to learn.

Character, Care and Culture

Beyond our own individual self care, we can also consider these virtues as a Code of Character to guide our collective spaces at home, school, work, business and community. If you were to consider the culture of your spaces, what are some of the virtues that you feel must define your collective countenance and gate? Identifying the character of your culture helps set its behaviors. Character is the soil from which the tree of behaviour grows. Take care of the soil and the tree will take care of itself. So, choosing (say) two of the aforementioned virtues to define the care of your culture... for colleagues and clients alike too... helps develop a collective understanding of the spirit of Excellence in the space.

That all said, Caring matters and is driven by Character.

We must make decisions in that direction, to effectively sustain.

Daring to decide is part of that; that self care.

Do YOU and take care.

Practice it.

Peace, purpose and prosperity...

Barry Lewis Green, The Unity Guy with Epic Engage.

Me on LinkedIn

CHECK OUT

• Developing Leadership Character – Ivey Business Journal

• The Global Goals
• The Virtues Project

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