Virtue

Posted on November 3, 2018 by Pam Lazos

Virtue

If you read my original post about The Twelve Virtues of the Merchant Priests, as suggested in the book, Sacred Commerce, my goal is to reflect upon and write about these  12 virtues — honor, loyalty, nobility, virtue, grace, trust, courage, courtesy, gallantry, authority, service, and humility — one a month for an entire year until I get through the list of twelve.  Well, it’s been 5-ever since my last post and at the rate I’m going, it’s going to be more like three years,  but I think we’ve already determined that time isn’t linear so why hold so tightly to such outmoded concepts, i.e., why sweat the small stuff?  Since the 12 virtues of the merchant priest “automatically lift us to a higher octave of being,” we’ll take our higher love where and at the pace we can get it.  It’s election season.  Fervor, fever, are they much different?

This month’s virtue is, oddly, Virtue.  Here goes:

 

Virtue has many traits:  moral excellence, integrity, purity, and stick-to-itness, to name a few; yet virtue doesn’t strive to be anything but kind.  Virtue spends her days in a blanket of quiet confidence although sometimes she wears a disguise — a funny hat and glasses, or maybe a wig — because even the most confident are, at times, rattled by life.  Afterwards Virtue visits hospice, flitting in and out on a ray of sunshine to hold a hand, hum a song, or even play the harp or violin.  The patients love her because she is a good listener who appreciates the value of silence.  In that way, she sprinkles their last days with dollops of joy and they remind her how important it is to be present.

Virtue wasn’t always happy.  Back in the day, she experienced some hard times that gave her a broader perspective on life’s big and little troubles.  Now she doesn’t take much of anything very seriously.  She knows life is cyclical; with the right attitude, a person can overcome anything.  

Goodness, righteousness, integrity, dignity — these are all adjectives people have used to describe Virtue.  Each time she receives a compliment she smiles and ducks her head a little because she’s kind of shy.  Also, she doesn’t believe what she does is such a big deal since everyone can do it. 

 

Sometimes Virtue sits on a camping chair in the field out back and watches the stars, losing herself in the counting of them.  On each, she makes a wish for someone she knows and sometimes for someone she doesn’t.  She hopes her small blessing is carried on the wind and the wishee will feel it like a lover’s kiss.  In this way, Virtue touches more people than her physical body could ever hope to do.

When Virtue gets weary about the state of the world and why no one seems to care that much anymore, she walks on the beach and breathes in the negative ions from the ocean — the ones that restore the body — and listens to the sound of the waves with her whole self.  That’s when Virtue realizes that people care too much, not too little, and that makes them afraid.  Virtue’s witnessed incapacitating Fear.  He can really be a jerk when he wants.  Virtue makes a mental note to double down on her efforts to spread more joy where she can, like lighting a candle in the darkness.

pjlazos 11.2.18

About Pam Lazos

writer, blogger, environmentally hopeful
This entry was posted in blog, higher consciousness, Uncategorized, virtue, writers, writing and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

30 Responses to Virtue

  1. Sophia Ismaa says:
    December 4, 2018 at 2:49 am

    This is breathtaking, you are a poetess without the poetry! How did you do that? The first 2/3 reminded me of my sister, and the last third reminded me of me. I learnt quite a lot from that last passage, people are afraid because they care too much what other people think. So, that’s why we gotta double the dose of positivity so they know they are just fine the way they are… that’ll give them the confidence to do the scary thing! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • pjlazos says:
      December 4, 2018 at 11:27 am

      Thanks 🙏 Sophia! So glad it resonated with you because that’s the whole point of fiction, right? Providing is with an objective way to look at ourselves without the criticism and the drama. 😘 Have a terrific day.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. Robyn Haynes says:
    November 7, 2018 at 10:13 pm

    I just love this post, Pam. Especially the last para: ‘realizes that people care too much, not too little, and that makes them afraid.’ It helps to keep this in mind when dealing with conflict.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. jeanleesworld says:
    November 5, 2018 at 2:51 am

    “and listens to the sound of the waves with her whole self.” LOVE this. Reminds me of my own depression, and the importance of opening all the senses to the wider world. Like forest bathing, I suppose. But that simple act of smelling the world, tasting the world, touching the world, listening to the world, REALLY listening–nothing else calms the the mind. Beautiful post, my friend! I need to hook you up on my next post this week with my next batch of thank yous! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Lydia Isales says:
    November 4, 2018 at 12:20 pm

    Hi Pam- so many beautiful sentences. I love a blanket of quiet confidence. It is lyrical, so pretty. Gave me a moment of peace. thank you!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  5. Susan Scott says:
    November 4, 2018 at 5:42 am

    Hi Pam great post thank you! I remember the beginning of the year and your post on the 12 virtues of the merchant priests! Virtue flits in and out in all our lives.
    Sometimes doing battle as you say with Fear. May she continue to spread light in the darkness as you do 😀

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • pjlazos says:
      November 4, 2018 at 11:06 am

      Aw, thank you, Susan. 🙏You’re no slacker in that department yourself!❤️

      Like

      Reply
    • pjlazos says:
      November 4, 2018 at 11:10 am

      p.s. I’m still having trouble leaving comments on your blog. It had something to do with my phone but I don’t know what. The last three posts I’ve written a comment only for t to tell me there’s been an error. Is anyone else experiencing this. I’ll have to go back and catch up on my computer. I don’t seem to have a problem then. Have a great day!😘

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. lindasschaub says:
    November 4, 2018 at 2:49 am

    This post is wonderful Pam – beautiful photos and the story is beautiful as well.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  7. Yeah, Another Blogger says:
    November 4, 2018 at 2:45 am

    Hi Pam. A pleasure to read this essay. And the final sentence? Sublime.

    Bye till next time —
    Neil

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • pjlazos says:
      November 4, 2018 at 11:04 am

      Thanks so much, Neil. 🙏I’m trying to focus a bit more on writing and a bit less on the things that worry me (everything). 😬Probably be back to worrying tomorrow, but this was a nice respite.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. thecontentedcrafter says:
    November 4, 2018 at 12:03 am

    I need a ‘love’ button! I love this post, I love your virtue Virtue! I gave you a virtual (!) high five for this bit: ‘Well, it’s been 5-ever since my last post and at the rate I’m going, it’s going to be more like three years, but I think we’ve already determined that time isn’t linear so why hold so tightly to such outmoded concepts, i.e., why sweat the small stuff?’ I’m sure each and every one of us can recognise one aspect of your Virtue that lives in us – that’s a good start isn’t it ❤

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  9. Michele Anderson says:
    November 3, 2018 at 11:42 pm

    Wow, Pam, I love how you have described Virtue–especially when she gets weary about the state of the world and walks on the beach. I can relate for sure. Beautiful post!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  10. Ken Dowell says:
    November 3, 2018 at 10:47 pm

    Talking virtue during election season. Good luck. Love the sculpture with the violin.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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