Thursday, February 28, 2013

Enthusiasm

A Virtues Moment: ENTHUSIASM

"Enthusiasm is being filled with spirit. When we live with enthusiasm, we are excited about life and are open to the wonders each day holds. We do things wholeheartedly, with zeal and eagerness, holding nothing back. We allow the excitement of the moment to fill us… We live in the moment and appreciate what we have, finding joy in simple pleasures… Enthusiasm helps us to imagine what is possible. We follow our dreams with true joy."
-excerpted with permission from Virtues Reflection Cards by Linda Kavelin Popov. http://virtuestraining.com/24_products
There are so many things to be enthusiastic about:

The Virtues Project has a new website and you can do your very own Virtues Pick with a different virtue everyday!http://virtuesproject.com
Check it out!
Knowledge of the Virtues is spreading in Kenya as professional people join schools and communities in the practice of the 5 strategies

COMING SOON: NEW VIRTUES TRAINING FACEBOOK PAGE. Become a fan and join the discussion!
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:

What are you enthusiastic about?
What will you do wholeheartedly this month?
How can you live in the moment instead of regretting the past or worrying about the future?
What dream would you like to follow with true joy?

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Detachment

"Detachment is experiencing your feelings without allowing your feelings to control you. It is choosing how you will react in a situation rather than just reacting… Detachment is a way to use thinking and feeling together, so that you don't let your feelings run away with you."
-From the Virtues Project cards, with permission from The Virtues Project™
People often ask about the virtue of Detachment. They see it as a negative quality, as not being engaged with people, or as being uncaring. When the definition of Detachment is read, there is a big sigh, an understanding, an AHA. Then, Detachment is seen as a gift, like, "Oh, I have a choice about how I can act in a situation. I hadn't thought of that before."
Some of the biggest gifts parents had from Detachment were when their children were in their late teens and twenties… when they were unhappy with their choices, or when the mom or dad was unhappy with their choices! With Detachment, they could step back and say, "This is their journey, not mine. If I try to fix the situation or give my (unsolicited) advice, I am robbing them of the opportunity for them to practice their virtues of discernment, courage, or wisdom. And of course, they will learn from their teachable moments, just as we have learned from ours. They have the opportunity to strengthen their spiritual muscles. What a gift Detachment is.
Questions for reflection:

When have I experienced my feelings without allowing my feelings to control me?
How can I practice detachment with my family members?
How can I refrain from giving my unsolicited advice?
How does detachment keep me safe?

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Recent training

In January and February 2013 we have conducted intensive training in eight schools and three community groups, including Shikusa Borstal Inst and Shibale Friends Church. .
We welcome all the new Virtues practioners.

Making rules at Shibale Friends Church Mumias and at Shikusa Borstal Institute:

Feeding the local children after the Virtues training:

Become a Virtues Facilitator

All those who have completed the basic training are encouraged to present to small groups as the opportunity arises or to assist a Facilitator. Facilitators require superior skills and undertake an additional 2-3 day training in order to be able to conduct full training workshops.

You should have been a practitioner of the Virtues for more than a year (preferably two) and have shown evidence of spreading information about the Virtues to others.

You are required to take the additional training and teach a session in cooperation with a Master Facilitator.

We are particularly looking for people who can present with authority and confidence to business groups, church organizations and government officials and university students. These people should be prepared to organize and conduct a full workshop, possibly alone or with a trainee facilitator. .

Virtues Connection

The Virtues Connection Kakamega (VCK) is a group of facilitators and potential facilitators. The group assigns facilitators to requested training sessions and manages fee payments as indicated.

Virtues Connection Kakamega promotes the virtues in schools, communities, churches and offices.

There is convincing evidence that the Virtues Project™ is the most effective and powerful tool for eliminating violence in families, communities and schools.

VCK offers the following programmes:

Business and professional (1 day)

Educators (2 days)

Community groups (1 day)

Scroll down for details about arranging a workshop

TO ARRANGE A VIRTUES PROJECT ™ WORKSHOP.

Organizers must specify if they wish to receive training for:-- Teachers (English seminar) (10 hours: 2 days)

- Community group (KiSwahili or English) (approximately six hours)

- Family group (KiSwahili) (five to six hours)

- Business and professional ( one day)

- Other (state preferred language)

Where appropriate facilitators receive a small honorarium. They offer their time and talents because of their belief in the effectiveness of the Virtues Project. This is their gift to the community. Materials are provided at low cost.

If the group is expected to make any contribution the facilitator/organizer will convey this before the seminar is finalized.The recipient group is expected to:

1. Designate a leader in the organization as contact person

2. Find a suitable venue with good lighting, ventilation, flexible seating arrangements and a black or white board. Power is required for showing slides or transparencies

3. Find suitable hotel accommodation for participants where indicated. Provide suitable private or hotel accommodation for the facilitator(s) for one night if needed.

4. Ensure that participants can provide their own transport

5. Ensure that participants understand they must arrive on time and attend all parts of the seminar.

6. Decide on a block of time of for the presentation you want. Check with VCK (see contacts below) that Facilitators are available on those dates.

7. Obtain sponsorship to cover expenses which might include:Refreshments and lunch per participant (if not previously negotiated)Facilitator’s travel and accommodation (if not previously agreed)

8. Request a leader in the organization to collect the certificates for distribution

9. Invite the participants to attend and provide names and contact numbers

10. Provide information to participants about follow up activities for those trained.

Criteria for gaining a certificate:To gain a certificate each participant needs to satisfy the following criteria:

o Attendance at 95% to 100% of the course

o Full participation in the activities of the course

o Completion of any homework activities.

For further information contact Master Facilitator Richard Andabwa (richardandabwa(at)yahoo.com) 0721883605 or Master Faciltator Tamara Soltani (tamarasoltani(at)gmail.com)0737331776

FROM: Patricia Crossley: Virtues International Representative for Africa. (patriciacrossley5(at)gmail.com)