Dying Virtues in the Digital Age
Certain virtues tend to facilitate a creative, happy life. Our new digital world has brought many blessings, but the speed of change is so great that numerous virtues are on the brink of extinction.
In our give-it-to-me-now digital world, it takes conscious effort to nurture these important virtues.
Patience: Why be patient when we live in the era of “Instant Downloads”? Living in a state of constant hurry cripples our ability to be patient. Impatience leads to anger. Learn to slow down in spite of the rapid digital current.
Acceptance: The “narcissistic generation” brought up in the Kindergarchy is committed to changing the world as it sees fit. Our way, right away is today’s rule. The virtue of accepting things (and people) as they are is lost. We, however, gain great power when we let go wanting to change everything and accept things as they are.
Focus: A torrent of digital information from continually expanding sources makes long-term focus and concentration nearly impossible to realize. Without focus, however, we become fragmented. From the Bhagavad-Gita: “The disunited mind is far from wise; how can it meditate? How be at peace? When you know no peace, how can you know joy?”
Calm: Emotionality takes us out of the present moment and shadows our perception with a distorted view of reality. In a Jedi-like calm, we are able to see things more clearly, gain perspective and maintain a more balanced way of being.
Perseverance: Our adventures—our own hero’s journey—can be challenging at times. It’s one thing to be reluctant to accept the call to adventure; it’s another to repress it, escape it or deny that it even exists. Perseverance and persistence are keystone qualities of anyone committed to living an extraordinary life.
Bring these virtues to the forefront of your mind and you’ll spontaneously discover ways to nurture them.
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Scott,
I love these thoughts….our human body is the most advanced digital computer on Earth. Thanks for reminding us how to run the software that guides it!