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.
Courtesy is treating others with kindness and tact. We take the time to speak and act graciously, showing people that we value and respect them. We make requests, not demands. We remember our manners, greet others warmly, and listen closely when they speak.
Courtesy is a way to honor others, showing them how much they matter to us by how we treat them. Those closest to us need our courtesy most of all. Courtesy is the mirror of their value.
Quote
“See ye not, Courtesy is the true Alchemy, turning to gold all it touches and tries?”
George Meredith, The Song Of Courtesy
Practicing Courtesy
I remember my manners.
I show others that I value and respect them.
I treat others graciously.
I make requests, not demands.
I listen attentively.
I treat my intimates with special care.
I am thankful for the gift of Courtesy. It sweetens my relationships.
Questions for Discussion
– In our community, what does speaking and acting graciously look like?
– Do we treat every member of our community like they matter?
– As we continue our social justice work, how do we make requests of other community members? Of ourselves?
– What could cause community members to not listen to each other attentively?
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 virtuesmatter.com.
