Empathy

The ability to imagine how others feel. In order to develop my empathetic skills I must ask myself, "How would I feel under the same circumstances?"

 

Initiative

When I put out the positive effort and energy to begin an action that is likely to help me effect a constructive change in my life.

 

Effort

Working hard in order to achieve a goal worth reaching. Putting out the necessary energy to get what I really want. Effort plus initiative adds up to success in the end.

 

Open Channel

The ability to communicate my thoughts and feelings in an open, honest way without judgment or censorship. In order to maintain an open channel I must be willing to: 1) totally disclose what I’m thinking and feeling; 2) be receptive to others viewpoints; 3) maintain a self-critical attitude.

 

Support

When I show care and concern not only for myself but for those around me by being truthful with my feelings and acting responsibly for myself and towards others, I am being supportive. When I care enough for others to confront their destructive behavior.

 

Responsibility

Start with the realization that I am the cause and not the victim of what happens to me. When I think through and I am accountable for my own actions, I am being responsible.

 

Completion

Finishing what I start. Following through with things until I reach a satisfactory resolution and sense of completion.

 

Pride

The good feeling I have about myself that comes with being responsible, showing integrity and following through.

 

Trusting

When I allow myself to rely upon or believe in the integrity of another person, I am being trusting. Allowing others to see who I really am inside and what I usually hide, is a way of showing my trust. The willingness to accept that others care about my life and feelings as they really are.

 

Integrity

When I behave in an honest, responsible and accountable manner, I am choosing to live my life with integrity. In order to live my life with integrity, I must develop a keen sense of right and wrong.

 

Spirituality

The personal quest to find answers to the ultimate questions about life, values, free choice, about meaning, our purpose in life and our connection to the sacred or transcendent. Spirituality is inwardly directed, without doctrine and is unifying rather than dividing.

 

Moral Courage

Cowardice is worse than violence. We need the moral courage to be honest (in thought, word and deed), to speak the truth to be what we really are, the courage to live honestly within our own means and not dishonestly upon the means of others and to do that which is just, no matter what the cost.

 

Honesty

The ability to communicate true feelings, thoughts and intentions in a sincere, straightforward manner without guile, deception or ulterior motive. When I fully disclose the truth, regardless of the consequences, I am being honest.

 

Spontaneity

To act in a manner which is natural, congruent, authentic and without premeditation. When my responses are authentic and balance emotions with ideas and principles, I have spontaneity. Spontaneity is not spontaneous or immediate.

 

Gratitude

To permit sincere feelings of appreciation and genuine acknowledgement of what we are blessed with and of what others do for us. Gratitude is defined by giving without remembering, receiving without forgetting and remaining humble and unpretentious.

 

Respect

The act of appreciative consideration for the thoughts, feelings and actions of others. Finding something of value in everyone.

 

Discipline

Mental attitude harnessing persistent effort. Discipline calls for optimism, confidence, faith, courage, imagination, tolerance, patience and refusing to give up. It is a continuing upward spiral of progress and a willingness to accept the challenge of that which is difficult.

 

Reciprocate

To give or take mutually: To create connections and networks of mutuality where the exchange of tangible goods or intrinsic service is offered and accepted, which create no lenders and no borrowers. In order to reciprocate, one must give more than that which has been received.

 

Honor

The special quality of grace which distinguishes us and forces us to act with dignity, respect and esteem. Honor is the reputable code of behavior by which we act and by which we are judged by others.

 

Commitment

To follow a determined course of action to completion; to remember that promises are moral obligations and that responsibility is a duty to be taken seriously. Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results. The principle of right conduct requires commitments to be fulfilled.