See the Potential
Through the practice of Speaking the Virtues and Seeing via the Virtues each day, we are Honouring the Spirit in others. The only thing which allows us to do those things is our willingness to look at every human being in terms of their potential.
“The wholly functioning human being seeks meaning in terms of their fellow human beings, but they do not find this meaning unless and until he learns to treat other humans with concern and respect.” G.E. Rennie, Principal, Discovery School, BC, Canada
Create a Shared Vision Statement
One of the best ways to inspire true spirit in any group or organisation, including your family unit, is to give the individuals of these groups ownership in their group’s Vision Statement. This is done by involving them in shaping the vision. A group which has taken the time to form a shared vision of the virtues they choose to live by, has a frame of “reverence” for what is truly valued by the group itself - for what is truly valued by the group itself.
- Ask your group to consult together to share what they have been taught from their past experiences about how people ought to treat each other.
- Have everyone reflect how they want to treat each here and now in this group dynamic.
- Brainstorm the main themes or virtues that these beliefs reflect then note these down on board or journal planner, or in whatever medium your group uses to plan and create. E.g.: “ We Respect each other”.
- Ask your group to identify three to five main virtues which are reflected in these common beliefs about how everyone wishes to act towards one another.
- Create one short and succinct paragraph which includes each of these virtues.
Example Vision Statement:
“We commit to show kindness and respect to everybody. This will be achieved by showing self-control when challenged, and making an effort to be helpful and friendly to others, even though we do not always feel like it. We enjoy and embrace learning.”
Tips for your groups vision statement:
Keep you vision statement:
- Brief
- Easy to memorise
- Virtues focused
- Posted where it can be seen at all times
Note: Vision Statements can also be used with younger children very effectively.
“More important than being successful is being significant. Significance means making a contribution to others” Steven Covey, Author, Highly Effective People
One-Minute Integrity Check:
A Vision Statement is the guiding light for your discipline system, the reference point to turn to when someone has acted unkindly, unreasonably or thoughtlessly, Whenever we need to check our own integrity, how well we are reflecting the vision we have agreed to, we need only to look at the Vision Statement and ask ourselves if our actions were in keeping with it.
A Vision Statement serves as a reference point for daily Teachable Moments. For example, should your Vision Statement read:
“We commit to show kindness and respect to everybody. This will be achieved by showing self-control when challenged, and making an effort to be helpful and friendly to others, even though we do not always feel like it. We enjoy and embrace learning.”
However someone has raised their voice bickering at another due to having a stressful day, as someone responsible for the group you can ask questions to the person such as:
“What do we believe about the way we treat everybody here?”
“Were you showing self-control when challenged by that person or by your day?”
“What will you do differently next time?; How can you make this better?”
Honoring the spirit occurs when discipline is not authority centred, but virtues centred. Taking the time, particularly at the beginning of a new year, to create a Vision Statement for your group or homeplace is an investment in a peaceful, harmonious environment. Doing so provides a reference point for a virtues based code of behaviour.
Model the Virtues You Expect Others to Practice
Being a model of virtues and honoring the spirit in others does not mean being perfect. It means you will hold yourself accountable to the same Vision Statement that everyone has agreed to. Your practice of honesty and humility is your grace, so no one needs to be perfect. You only have to be willing to keep learning and growing and never give up on this, or on your commitment to practice of the virtues.
Story Together
“Whoever tells the story defines the culture” David Walsh
Stories always hold a group’s attention, no matter what age they are. The mystery and magic of “Once upon a time…” hold eyes and hearts captivated, eager to know what comes next. Stories not only embody the values of a culture, they also help children and youth define their own values and awaken to their virtues.
Sharing stories, personal to oneself, one's own experiences, and their families is one of the ways to enliven people’s sense of meaning. Inviting people to share their story during special times each week, such as at particular group get-togethers, enriches these times with meaning. When personal stories are shared at “Circle Time” for example, related to virtues such as Virtues of the Week, it supports a culture of character, which Honours the Spirit, more effectively than merely memorising rules and regulations or policing behaviour.
Virtues Pick as Storying Together
One way to “story together” (an expression used in the Solomon Islands) is to do a Virtues Pick once a week, in which someone, pulls a Virtue from out of a jar or bag, and it is read aloud and people tell a memorable story of when that virtue was put into action. This activity proves meaningful to adults and children alike of all ages across various group settings.
Help others far and wide to Honour the Spirit...
- Focus on Virtues in the Arts
Rivers of Respect, Cornucopia- plenty of Creativity
In developing the virtues, it is helpful to have visual cues in the environment. The integration of meaning occurs best when people see visuals of the virtues around them. “Virtue of the Week” help make virtues a natural element of the culture. E.g. a heart of kindness; a bridge of compassion, a river or roadmap to respect.
There are an assortment of beautiful posters of the Virtues available for sale online.
Feature Virtues in the Performing Arts
Form a group to write plays or put on plays that illustrate virtues. All meaningful plays do this. This is a powerful way to enforce virtues in your community.
Apply Virtues in Poetry
Post virtue stories and poems on social media or on bulletin boards. Write poems about the virtues which are special to your group or family ..Start an online social media blog; or create a Youtube video channel sharing your Virtues stories to the greater society. Help others far and wide to Honour the Spirit
Write Songs about Virtues
For budding musicians try writing a virtues inspired song, or even singing a virtues song related to asserting a Virtue of the Week at school assemblies is another great way to Honour the Spirit.