Twenty Two Virtues

I was recently reading away in one of my aromatherapy texts, Aromatherapy for Life Empowerment, when I came to this list of twenty-two virtues. By practicing these twenty-two virtues daily, we can improve our quality of life and the lives of those around us.


I found them all to be so simple and self-explanatory, yet sometimes it is helpful to have them pointed out to us. We tend to rush along in the busyness of our daily lives and forget to sit quietly and just contemplate.

1. Have self-discipline
2. Be honest
3. Be truthful
4. Be grateful
5. Have integrity
6. Take action
7. Be trustworthy
8. Keep your word
9. Be kind
10. Take control of yourself
11. Don't blame others
12. Be forgiving
13. Be a peacemaker
14. Have persistence
15. Connect with the higher source
16. Be the best you can be
17. Think for yourself
18. Spend time in a quiet place
19. Respect life
20. Right your wrongs
21. Have compassion
22. Simplify your life


The book then goes on to say to rate yourself from 1 to 5 for each virtue, so you can determine which ones need improvement in your life.


I know I definitely need to work on numbers 6, 10, 11 and 12. I have spent too much time blaming others for where I find myself and not taking control of my own life. The passive victim needs to go! I know I will still not be able to do all that I wish to - that is part of life, I think, unless you live alone and can make all your own decisions. But I need to make peace with the areas of my life that are not as I wish, let it go and forgive.