"Virtue-like" Qualities

“Virtue-like” Qualities

Eileen Renders               December 2023

   We all have qualities that distinguish us from others, and because there are so many qualities, we also are deficient in many of those qualities. These qualities are not virtues that we are born with. They grow within us because we have decided to nurture our good qualities, and therefore, have chosen those qualities that come naturally to us without causing us to become uncomfortable. Just reviewing some of those qualities might give us an inside look at which of those virtues are true to our spirit. It will also allow us to view those virtues that do not describe us, and perhaps we will find one of those that we would like to adopt. Perhaps, pray to God for the grace to make the desired transition.  Some of those virtues include;

Assertiveness              Authenticity    Benevolence   Cooperation                Commitment

Compassion                Conscientiousness         Courage        Curiosity         Empathy

Forgiveness                 Fairness          Generosity      Honesty           Humanity            Humility

Integrity          Justice             Leadership      Loyalty           Self-Control      

Temperance    Wisdom

   It is most probably easiest for us to immediately zoom in and select that quality that is within us and has always been second nature to us. But can we select those qualities in which we are lacking? Or, is there a particular quality that you are interested in becoming better at? If so, that would be a good part of one’s daily prayer, asking God to provide us with more good qualities, becoming a better person for Him, and for all our brothers and sisters in Christ.

   In reviewing this reflection, we have possibly awakened another quality referred to as awareness. In working toward becoming a better person, we are not only giving the best of who we are to each person that we meet, know, or interact with but we are also being rewarded through qualities such as acknowledgment, appreciation, and respect from those whom we interact or converse with. I can recall a few old-time sayings such as; “It’s a two-way Street”, or “What comes around, goes around.” They were sort of warnings to younger people about how to behave with others, odd sayings indeed, yet the message was clear; “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Gratefully, God hears our prayers and I believe as long as we desire to become better human beings, God is going to bless us with the qualities we strive to attain.