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.
Detachment is experiencing our feelings without allowing them to control us. We step back and look at things objectively. We let go and accept what we cannot change. We detach from others choices, knowing that their spiritual work is not ours to do. We choose how we will act rather than just reacting. We step away from harmful cravings. Detachment is a deep breath of peace and patience in response to unexpected anger. We can listen without losing ourselves. With detachment, we see our mistakes honestly, make amends and start afresh. Detachment allows us be in the world but not of it. It frees us to lead our lives with grace.
Quote: “You always have a choice to take all things evenly, to hold on to nothing, to receive each irritation as if you had only fifteen minutes to live.” TOLBERT MCCARROLL
The Practice of Detachment
I recognize my feelings without letting them control me.
I resist interfering with others spiritual lessons.
I choose to act instead of react.
I free myself from impulses and cravings.
I listen in order to understand.
I have the humility to amend my mistakes.
I lead my life as my soul chooses.
I am thankful for the gift of Detachment. It lifts me up.
- How can detachment help us in social justice work? How might it hinder us?
- Is there anything that may cause us to react before choosing how we will act?
- What impulses may derail our social justice work?
- How may power play a role in interfering with other’s spiritual lessons?
The Virtues Project is provided by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands in partnership with Virtues Matter.
Virtues Matter was started by a 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.com.
