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.
Openness
Openness is being honest, clear and sincere, sharing who we are and what we feel without pretense. It is the willingness to consider new ideas and listen to others with an open mind. We reveal our thoughts candidly without attempting to manage the responses of others. We hold no hidden agendas. We are more interested in connecting than controlling. We listen to others’ feelings with compassionate curiosity. When we are open, we are receptive to the blessings and surprises of life.
Quote: “To open deeply, as genuine spiritual life requires, we need tremendous courage and strength, a kind of warrior spirit.” — Jack Kornfield, “A Path With Heart”
The Practice of Openness
I am honest and transparent.
I am direct and candid in sharing my perspective.
I appreciate new ideas and possibilities.
I sincerely want to communicate.
I have no hidden motives.
I care about the views and feelings of others.
I am willing to receive life’s bounties.
I am thankful for the gift of Openness. It frees me to be myself.
- What do we need in our community to honor openness?
- Is there any compassionate curiosity that can guide our social justice work?
- What innovative ideas can we consider as we strengthen our social justice work?
- How can openness strengthen 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.
