Virtues Training: Inspiring, empowering, and transforming people to achieve their potential.
Betsy Lydle Smith • (425) 753-6498 • betsy@virtuestraining.com • facebook.com/VirtuesTraining
The Virtues

Read about the virtues from past newsletters:

Idealism

A Virtues Moment: IDEALISM

"Idealism is having a vision of what is possible and wanting to make a difference. It is caring passionately about what is meaningful in life. Idealists see things as they could be and have faith in the power of change. We put our principles into practice. We don't just accept things the way we are. We dare to have big dreams and then act as if they are possible. Idealism doesn't mean that we are idle dreamers. Idle dreamers just wish things were better. Idealists do something to make things better. We make the ideal real.

The Practice of Idealism:

  • I have a dream.
  • I have a plan.
  • I have faith in the highest possible outcome.
  • I walk my talk.
  • I persevere.
  • I make a difference.

I am thankful for the gift of Idealism. It helps me to realize my dreams."

- from Virtues Reflection Cards with permission by Linda Kavelin Popov. http://www.virtuesproject.com/uscart/browse.html

September brings new beginnings for students, teachers, and parents. Young children are full of enthusiasm, excitement, and sometimes trepidation about going to school. What will I learn, who will my friends be, will my teacher be kind and caring? The year is full of possibilities, for teachers and parents as well. We have big dreams for reaching every child, knowing that the possibilities for learning are there. How can we as parents and educators help our children strive for the ideal, being the best they can be? How can we use our courage, purposefulness, creativity and determination to reach for our best as teachers, parents or students?

Questions for reflection:

  1. What are my ideals?

  2. What dreams do I have?

  3. What plan do I need to put in place to accomplish the ideal?

  4. How can I use purposefulness and determination to make the ideal real?

If you would like to strengthen your own virtues, Mastering the Five Strategies of The Virtues Project: A Personal Journal to Enrich Your Life in 40 Days, is an excellent way to do it. Here's what others have said about this easy-to-use journal:

“Living a life filled with honesty, simplicity, reverence, patience, and encouragement takes daily practice. This book gives a solid foundation to making virtues come off the page and show up consciously in your life.” Asali Powers, Atlanta, GA

You may order your own journal on virtuesshop.com at:

https://virtuesshop.com/index.php?page=shop.productdetails&productid=123

UPCOMING EVENTS:

WORLDWIDE WEBINAR: INTRODUCTION TO THE VIRTUES PROJECT: AWAKENING THE GIFTS OF CHARACTER

DATES: Tuesdays, Oct. 18, 25, Nov. 1, 8, 15, 2011

LOCATION: Your home or office. All you need is a computer and phone!

TIME: 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM PACIFIC TIME

MASTER FACILITATORS: Heather Acres & Betsy Lydle Smith

*"What I received was priceless. Heather and Betsy have spent years studying the virtues and it is an honor to have their knowledge, insight and experience to learn from. I can’t imagine how I would improve the program. Having the webinar weekly was great, the discussions were fantastic and the journaling helped to consolidate what we discussed during the webinar." -Cathy Rudyk, Canada*

FOR INFO. & TO REGISTER GO TO: http://www.virtuestraining.com/44_

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Betsy Lydle Smith • (425) 753-6498 • betsy@virtuestraining.com