Virtues in Action: Enthusiasm

Virtues Reflection Cards by Linda Kavelin Popov available as an app. 

Questions for Reflection:

• What am I enthusiastic about?
• What simple pleasures bring me joy?
• What do I do wholeheartedly?

Virtues Reflection Card courtesy of The Virtues Project™

Virtues in Action

Here's a wonderful example of enthusiasm in action in this teachable moment shared by Brittany, the mother of two young children.

This weekend my girlfriend and her 2 young girls came to play for the day. My girlfriend was frazzled from the morning incidences and arrived showing it. A few minutes into being in our house, the older 7 year old daughter did her apparently typical taunt that she does to her 3 year old sister. Her mother snapped at her, yelled at her in front of all of us and then threatened to leave if she didn't change her behavior. My heart sank for both my friend and her little girl. What could I do? And for the first time, I had a way to help. I said to the little girl, "Sophie, you know what we do when James is having a hard time with his behavior? Here, come with me."  We all walked into my office.   I explained to her what Virtues are and how she has magnificence inside of her, and sometimes we need a little reminder and all the things we are capable of doing, like interacting with her sister in a way that felt loving to both of them.

I had her do a virtues pick.  She picked Cleanliness. I was nervous at first, but then when reading it, it spoke to cleaning up bad behaviors and having cleanliness in your thoughts. We both giggled when I enthusiastically said, "See, this card was a perfect pick."She had a huge smile on her face by the time I was done reading. Her whole demeanor changed and her mother asked me where I got the cards. Of course I was sure to acknowledge Sophie for her cleanliness throughout the day and each time I did, she beamed! She was much better with her sister all day.

When they left, Sophie yelled out the car window, "Good bye. I love you!" Very beautiful for a little girl who has only met me once before. It was a very loving, empowering and affirming moment for me.

I can't thank Linda, Dan, and John, founders of The Virtues Project,  enough for their brilliance and following that internal nudge that wanted to find a better way. I am deeply in love with the Virtues Project and know, on a profound level, that this is part of what I am bringing to parents in advocating for conscious parenting that supports authentically loving the little ones.
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Brittany, your enthusiasm, creativity and caring have made a difference in this family. Thanks for helping to make the world a better place!