Kindness is a virtue. And so are respect, love, loyalty, peacefulness, enthusiasm, generosity and determination. In fact, there are hundreds of virtues, ranging from the obscure (detachment) to the common (respect).
The Squamish Virtues Committee wants to spread some of those virtues and how to use them through an afternoon presentation.
"People have been asking for it," said Alison Dorosh of the Squamish Virtues Committee. "They've been asking for something to go to. Virtues are something that if you develop them, they will come out."
On Jan. 23, two speakers, who are also Virtues Project facilitators, will host presentations from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Squamish Public Library. Admission is by donation and 100 per cent of the proceeds will go towards tsunami victim relief.
Janice Hurford, who is also a teacher at Don Ross Secondary School, will present "How to Use Virtues When We Talk to One Another."
The language of the virtues can be incorporated into day-to-day conversation - but Dorosh notes that if she just threw out the comment "Gee, you're patient," most people wouldn't accept it because they know they are not patient all the time. But breaking it down provides an example.
"If somebody says something that hits you inside, that's a bit of self esteem for you," Dorosh said.
Hurford's presentation will deal with topics along those lines.
Wanda Groetelaars is presenting "Keys to Intimacy: How to Bring Joy Into Our Relationships."
"We kind of lose touch with the key people in our lives," Groetelaars said.
Her presentation will touch on things like active listening.
"It's basically everything we all know but helping put it in a clear light."
"Virtues just cut across all cultures," Dorosh said. "I just believe they are for everybody. I guess I think it's important for everything, everywhere."
The Squamish Virtues Committee was formed in 2002 and has five committee members and 12 trained local facilitators. The Virtues Project is an international one, founded in 1991 by Linda Kavelin-Popov, a psychotherapist, organizational consultant, and community healer, her husband Dan Popov, a clinical pediatric psychologist, and her brother John Kavelin, who all felt called to do something to counteract rising violence among youth and families.
For more information call 604-898-5033.
