What is Virtue?

virtue |ˈvər ch oō|
noun
1) behavior showing high moral standards : paragons of virtue. See note at goodness .
     • a quality considered morally good or desirable in a person : patience is a virtue.
    * a good or useful quality of a thing : Paul was extolling the virtues of the car | there's no virtue in suffering in silence.

I ask this question often of myself. I wonder what truly makes a person virtuous. Am I virtuous or self righteous? Do I stand up for what is right or am I simply judgmental of others? What are the qualities I am modeling for my children? My husband Paul wrote an article recently about mentoring and it has had me thinking ever since about what I truly bestow upon my kids. When I grow impatient and snap at them or when I do not stand my ground and hold them accountable, am I falling short of my duties as a parent? The questions could go on and on but I want to seek out where we stop as parents and destiny begins...

It all comes back to one thing for me as a parent, spouse, friend or neighbor; do I really care about those people I come in contact with? A quote attributed to Elsie de Wolfe states, "Be pretty if you can, be witty if you must, but be gracious if it kills you." I must first care and then I can love and then I can sacrifice, but I have to start by desiring the heart of a person. Over the years, it is the hearts of my children that I want above obedience or performance.  Therefore I am transitioning that desire into the other relationships in my life. My goal is to be gracious, to embody virtue, to be the best person I can be.

How about you, what is your personal heartfelt goal for your relationships?

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