Virtue of the Week: Assertiveness

Being assertive means being positive and confident. You are aware that you are a worthy person with your own special gifts. You think for yourself and express your own ideas. You know what you stand for and what you won't stand for. You expect respect.

You are practicing assertiveness when you:

• Share your own ideas and feelings

• Tactfully tell others what you really think

• Don't allow others to lead you into trouble

• Avoid being aggressive or passive

• Ask for what you want and need

• Expect respect at all times

Affirmation: I am assertive. I freely express my own ideas. I think for myself and do what I feel is right. I am my own leader.

The Source supports the Virtues Project, an international initiative focused on building peaceful and caring communities.

The Virtues Project is an international initiative focused on building peaceful and caring communities aligned to 52 virtues – such as “compassion,” “integrity,” “respect.” The Virtues Project promotes community capacity-building to teach positive behaviors and attitudes and contribute to healthy and supportive environments across sectors. This is an initiative originated with a work group of Early Childhood Advisory Committee of the Children and Families Council and is moving forward with support from the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands. We are working in collaboration with the Department of Education to infuse V.I. culture into the messages and to implement The Virtues Project in the public schools. The goal is to engage the community in discussion and awareness of the “Virtue of the Week” in schools, child care settings, home, and the workplace through the media, religious institutions, schools and centers, government agencies, and business organizations.