Virtue of the Week focuses on building peaceful and caring communities through understanding and fostering the practice of virtues. The Source supports the Virtues Project and will publish one virtue developed by the project each week.
Independence
Independence is confident self-reliance. We have the courage to see reality with our own eyes and not through the eyes of others. We dare to be our true selves. We make decisions without undue influence from others. We responsibly care for ourselves. We enjoy intimacy without enmeshment. We do not depend on another to define our value nor lose ourselves to love. We bring ourselves fully to a relationship yet honor the boundaries that protect each other’s dignity. We stand on our own holy ground.
Quote: “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.” – Henry David Thoreau
The Practice of Independence
I think for myself.
I am fully myself.
I trust my own decisions.
I enjoy healthy self-care.
I do not burden my relationships with unrealistic expectations.
I balance intimacy with self-reliance.
I am thankful for the gift of Independence. It empowers me to be truly myself.
- What are the possibilities for our social justice work?
- How can independence strengthen our social justice work?
- What does independence look like in your strongest relationships?
- What does healthy self-care look like in our community?
- What do we need to be fully ourselves in our community?
Virtues Matter was started by a passionate wife-husband team of social entrepreneurs seeking to positively uplift as many lives as possible. We aim to inspire and empower, to build capacity, strengthen relationships, and help everyone lead lives of passion and purpose.
Virtues Matter believes in a world where people are committed to kindness and respect, strive to be their best, and live with hope, courage, and in unity. We built the Virtues Cards mobile app, an interactive personal and team development tool, to help people identify and develop key virtues skills. We also offer dynamic workshops, online training, and customized programs to help people cultivate these positive qualities of character. To learn more, visit www.virtuesmatter.org.
