Civic Virtue

Definition
Civic virtue is morality or a standard of righteous behavior in relationship to a citizen's involvement in
society. An individual may exhibit civic virtue by voting, volunteering, organizing a book group, or
attending a PTA meeting.
Historic Roots
The Greek word for virtue is arete, which means excellence. Socrates does not use the term "civic virtue" in
Plato's Republic, but highlights courage as a virtue that is derived from what one learns from a city. This
distinguishes spiritual virtue, which is mandated by a higher being, from civic virtue, which follows the laws
and customs of a city.
In Aristotle's discussion of virtue, he recommends that humans take pleasure in virtue. Virtue, both civic and
moral, is the way in which humans achieve their greatest happiness. Aristotle holds that humans must know
about these virtues before they can hope to better the community. Aristotle also maintains that it is easier to
teach a person about the virtues who has been "well brought up." This implies that the education of virtue,
both civic and moral, must begin at home.
St. Thomas Aquinas followed Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics and held that the highest good comes from
God. The aim, then of acquired virtues, is to flourish. Aquinas noted a difference between civic virtues that
sought political good and spiritual virtues that were ordained by God.

Importance
Civic virtue helps people understand their ties to the community and their responsibilities within it. In many
ways, an educated citizen who possesses civic virtue is a public good.
In Bowling Alone, Harvard professor of public policy, Robert Putnam, argues that Americans' sense of
community is waning, the close ties they once had to their community are disappearing. The baby boomers
and the Generation Xers display a disconnection from community and a tendency toward individualism.
Putnam calls for individuals to take the initiative and start educating America's youth about civic virtue,
reconnecting with their neighbors, and increasing participation in politics to change this trend and to help
them reconnect. Putnam defines three civic virtues: active participation in public life , trustworthiness ,
and reciprocity that is acquired through social connectedness. Only through an understanding of civic virtue
will Americans be able to flourish in their communities and play an active role in American democracy.

Ties to the Philanthropic Sector
Civic virtue is the moral underpinning of how a citizen relates to society. Without an understanding of civic
virtue, citizens are less likely to look beyond their own families, friends, and economic interests. They are
less likely to help others in the community, to volunteer their time, to give money to nonprofit organizations,
or to participate in a group that benefits society (e.g., Kiwanis or Mothers Against Drunk Driving).
In providing a civic education, it is imperative that the importance of philanthropy be stressed. To assist in
this, schools can create a mission statement for their philanthropic endeavors and reward classes that
actively participate. In addition, teachers can organize philanthropic class projects that range from collecting
clothing for a family in need to taking a field trip to work at a local soup kitchen. In understanding civic
virtue, it is important that students see the results of their philanthropic efforts and their ties to the greater
society.

10 Ways To Earn the Respect of Others
Have you ever met someone who was rude to you and didn't hold you with much regard? How did you feel?
Did you feel annoyed? Peeved?
If you are a self respecting individual, chances are you want others to treat you with respect. And you know
what, age isn't a prerequisite nor is it a magic key to gaining respect. I've seen plenty of people who are
young be highly respected from their elders. I've also come across older people who I'd never respect
because their actions are so out of line. It's about how you conduct yourself, your attitudes towards others
and your actions.

Regardless of whether you are a teenager, a student, a new member in your team/company, or someone
starting out in the industry, you can be well respected by others. In this post, I share 10 ways on how you
can be a well respected person. These 10 ways can be carried out no matter who you are:
1. Be good at what you do In every field of work, the most highly regarded people are those who are
the best at what they do. Everyone loves competent people, especially those who present their best
work all the time. If you're just starting out in your profession, that doesn't mean you're not deserving
of respect. It's about starting small and building from there.
2. When I started my personal development blog 2 years ago, no one knew me. Of my early audience, I
remember some people would discount my work because of my age, saying I had no experience and
shouldn't writing on such topics. Such comments are normal since they didn't know who I was, just
my age and my brief background. Rather than letting these stop me, I built my reputation, one step at
a time, via producing the best content and planting seeds everywhere. Over time, people began to
register the value I was providing and they developed respect for what I was doing. Today, I have
many readers and coaching clients who are older than me, and that's because they recognize my
abilities and what I have to offer.
It's through gaining experience and improving that you establish yourself as the best and earn the respect
from others. It's not an overnight process, but the respect people have of you after that will be steadfast.
3. Respect others Respect is 2-way. If you want others to respect you, you've to respect others first. If
you've ever come across someone who isn't being respectful to you, I invite you to think of just one
person you're not being respectful to in your life now. Chances you'll find at least someone. Rather
than harp on how people are not respectful to you, work on being respectful to those people you're
treating shabbily. It'll help you reach new heights in your relationship with others. Whenever
someone is rude to me, I think of how I might be rude to someone else and mend that relationship.
It's creates a positive shift in my relationships.
4. Honor what you say No one likes a dishonest or unreliable person. A well respected individual is
one who is honest in his/her communications and can be trusted to do what he/she promised. I
believe integrity is the first step to being our highest self. I always ensure I live up to my
commitments and deliver beyond what I promise. If due to some reason you can't honor your
commitments, make sure you address them accordingly to the other party and make up for it.
5. Be open to criticisms Contrary to popular belief, being respected doesn't mean you won't receive
criticism. In fact, it's quite the opposite. The more known you are in your work, the more criticisms
you'll receive. My blog readership has grown over 4 times in the last 6 months. Just as I've received a
lot more positive feedback than before on my posts, I'm also receiving more criticisms. It's not about
rejecting criticisms but about being able to handle criticisms gracefully. People respect someone who
is able to handle negative feedback and turn it into something positive. If you need pointers, here are
8 Ways To Deal With Critical People.
6. Treat yourself with respect It's funny that many of us seek respect from others, yet we don't even
respect ourselves. Have you ever beaten yourself up before? Do you love yourself wholly and
unconditionally? Do you treat yourself poorly by not getting enough sleep, proper diet or exercise? If
you don't respect yourself, you can't hope to get respect from others. Start off by loving yourself. The
love from others will come subsequently.
7. Conduct yourself professionally This includes dressing well, being well-mannered, using
appropriate language and having social etiquette. If you haven't attended a social etiquette class
before, it'll be useful to do so. Even if you intuitively know what they teach in the class, it's great as
reinforcement. I attended a few etiquette classes when I was a student, including wine appreciation,
dining etiquette, how to conduct yourself in a 1st meeting, etc. I personally found it helpful. The
things taught inside are not rocket science by any means, but it helps to practice them in an actual
setting and know what are the do's and do-not's.
8. Don't bad mouth others Whether it's in a professional or social setting, it's not appropriate to bad
mouth people. You certainly don't earn respect this way. If you're unhappy with a certain individual
and what he/she is doing, talk to him/her and work things out. Don't talk behind his/her back. This is
the kind of behavior that attracts gossip and negativity. Not only does it reflect badly on you as a
person, it also hurts the other party, whether you realize it or not. Be honest and transparent in your
communications.
9. Stand up for what you believe in Have you ever come across people who simply agree with
whatever others say without much thought? I have, and it gets meaningless after a while as they just
say yes to everything. Personally, I have more respect for someone who disagrees (civilly) and
stands up for himself/herself than someone who parrots others. Likewise, it is by having your own
opinion and a mind of your own that you get respect from others. Don't be afraid to stand up for what
you believe in. At the same time, make sure you do it in a respectful manner to others.
10. Be yourself Along the same lines as #8, be yourself. It's better to be an original version of yourself
than an exact duplicate of someone else. People respect individuals who are original. Too many
people try too hard to be someone else they are not and in the end they don't have a sense of identity.
Discover who you are and what you stand for. What the world needs are more people who are true to
themselves, not clones of each other.
11. Be a role model to others Actions speak louder than words. Are you a role model to others by way
of your behavior? Do you uphold yourself to the highest code of conduct? You gain respect by
walking the talk. The most respected person is the one who inspires others to achieve their best and
enables them to unlock their highest potential.



How to Live in Peace
Peace is not just for hippies! Living in peace is about living harmoniously with yourself, others, and
all sentient beings around you. Living in peace is both an outward and an inward process. Outwardly,
living in peace is a way of life in which we respect and love each other in spite of our cultural,
religious, and political differences. Inwardly, we all need to search our hearts and minds and
understand the fear that causes the impulse to violence, for in continuing to ignore the rage within,
the storm outside will never subside.
While you will find your own meanings of peaceful existence and outward manifestations of a
peaceful life according to your beliefs and lifestyle, there are some basics underpinning living in
peace that cannot be overlooked, such as being non-violent, being tolerant, holding moderate views,
and celebrating wondrous-life. This article provides some suggestions to help you to discover your
journey to living in peace, a journey and way of life that ultimately only you can be responsible for.
1) Seek to love, not control others. Ceasing to seek power over people and outcomes in your life is
the first major step to living peacefully. Trying to control people is about seeking to impose your will
and reality on others without ever trying to see their side of things. A controlling approach to
relationships will keep you in conflict with others. Replacing a will to control with a broad approach
of loving others instead, including their faults and differences, is the way to a peaceful life.
Think peace before power. Gandhi said that power based on love is a thousand times more
effective and permanent than the power gained through threat of punishment. If you've
learned to "control" other people through threatening behavior, demeanor, or actions, those
persons subjected to your power will be responding out of coercion, not out of respect or care
for you. This is not a peaceful way to live.
Learn the skills of negotiation, conflict resolution, and assertive communication. These are
important, constructive communication skills that help you to avoid or effectively move
through conflict with others. Not all conflict can be avoided, and not all conflict is bad
provided you know how to handle it skilfully. If you don't feel that you have enough skills in
these forms of communication, read widely on ways to improve them. The clarity of the
message is always vital to ensure peace, as much conflict arises out of misunderstandings.
When communicating with others, seek to avoid ordering, moralizing, demanding,
threatening, or excessively needling them with questions aimed at eliciting too much
information. Each of these forms of communication will give rise to conflict with others who
feel that you're trying to control them rather than speak with them as an equal.
Have confidence that others around you are capable of living as good a life as possible all
things being equal. In this respect, even giving advice carries controlling tendencies when
you use advice as a means to interfere in another person's life, rather than simply offering
your own insights without an expectation they'll act on what you think. The Swedish
diplomat Dag Hammerskjold once said: "Not knowing the question, it was easy for him to
give the answer." When we advise others, we risk assuming that we have a full grasp of the
problems they're facing when, in actual fact, we usually do not and we're filtering their
problem from our own experience. It is far better to respect the other person's intelligence and
simply be there for them, instead of trying to impose your experience as the "answer" for
them. In this way, you will cultivate peace over resentment, respect over trivialization of their
viewpoint, and confidence in their intelligence instead of insulting them.
2. Moderate your convictions. Thinking in absolutes and holding to convictions without ever
considering the viewpoints and perspectives of others is a sure way to live a life without peace. This
type of extremist thinking usually leads to reactive, hasty, and driven behavior that lacks the benefit
of reflection and deliberative thinking. While this may be convenient because it allows you to act
with the confidence of absolute conviction, it blocks out other realities in the world and can easily
lead you into conflict when other people fail to agree with your convictions. It's harder work to
remain open-minded and ready to review your understandings, yet it's more rewarding because you'll
grow as a person and live in greater harmony with those around you.
Moderate your absolute convictions by always being ready to question and to reflect. Accept
that your beliefs, faith, passions, or opinions are but some among many other beliefs, faith,
passions, and opinions in the world. Follow an ethic of moderation that values human dignity
and worth; follow the one true absolute, which is to treat others as you wish to be treated
yourself (The Golden Rule).
Find a variety of things to do in your life if you're finding yourself slipping into immoderate
stances about other people. It's hard to be immoderate when you're busy doing a range of
things and seeing a wide range of people from all walks of life.
Cultivate your sense of humor. Humor is a peace-lover's disarming charm; few fanatics are
ever humorous because they're too busy taking themselves and their cause too seriously.
Humor allows you to release tension and to show up the repressive tendencies of extremist
thinking.
3) Be tolerant. Tolerance in all that you think and do will make a difference in your life and in the
lives of others around you. Tolerance for others is about appreciating diversity, the plurality of
modern society, and being willing to live and let others live too. When we fail to tolerate others'
beliefs, ways of being, and opinions, the end result can be discrimination, repression,
dehumanization, and ultimately violence. Practicing tolerance is at the heart of living peacefully.
Rather than jumping to negative conclusions about other people, change your own
perspective and nourish the good in others. In changing your perspective of others, you can
initiate change in their own self-perception.[1] For example, instead of seeing someone as
stupid or incompetent, start calling them intelligent, effective, and clever. This will nourish
them and encourage them to live up to the good you perceive in them. Seeing others as
interesting, special, and caring beings underneath their bravado, anger, and torment, can bring
about a great change for the better.
Read the wikiHow articles on how to be tolerant to people's opinions, how to be tolerant of
others, and how to be tolerant of other viewpoints for more ideas on creating more tolerance
in your life.
4) Be peaceful. Gandhi said "There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no cause that I
am prepared to kill for." A peaceful person does not use violence against another person or animal
(sentient beings). While there is much violence in this world, make a choice to not let death and
killing be a part of your philosophy of living.
Whenever a person aims to try to convince you that violence is okay, stick to your beliefs and
politely disagree. Realize that some people will try to goad you by insisting that you're
undermining people involved in situations of conflict. You know is not true and that it is a
skewed vision that values conflict which leaves many people dead, orphaned, or homeless.
The former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, said: "My
experience of conflict is that those who are involved in it long for even a day of peace. To
have a day of cessation of violence, that to me is an idea whose time has come. Be bolstered
by the reality that violence is not something even those involved in it want, and that peace for
humankind as a whole is a valid wish to hold.
To be peaceful is to be able to act with compassion toward those who are violent. Even
criminals deserve to know how compassion works, yet when a society incarcerates, and
tortures, and enables violence in our prisons and in our hearts, we are the equal of those
criminals.[2] Seek to demonstrate (not just give lip service to) the principles of a just and fair
society and from this set the example.
Avoid violent movies, news reports of violent acts, and music with hateful or degrading
lyrics.
Surround yourself with peaceful images, music, and people.
Give serious consideration to vegetarianism and veganism as your future way of sustaining
yourself. For many peace-lovers, violence toward animals is not conducive to living a life in
peace. Read widely on the way animals are treated in the farming, hunting, and
pharmaceutical industries, and about vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, in order to settle your
own beliefs about other sentient beings. Align the understandings you gain from this research
with your living peacefully.
5) Reflect. Reflection of thought is important many a hasty response has resulted in a tragic
outcome because time to think through all of the issues and angles has not been taken. Naturally,
there are times when fast action is essential to ensure safety but these times do not excuse the many
other times when reacting with care and consideration will result in much better outcomes for all
concerned.
If someone hurts you physically or mentally, do not react with anger or violence. Stop and
think. Choose instead to respond peacefully.
Ask the other person to stop and think and tell them that anger or violence will not resolve the
issue at hand. Simply say "please don't do that". If they refuse to stop, remove yourself from
the scene or situation.
Just stop yourself. When you feel like the need to respond to something in a manner that
portrays your anger, frustration, or irritation, tell yourself "Stop". Remove yourself from the
situation that is bringing on confusion and inability to reflect. By giving yourself the space,
you'll have time to overcome the initial angry feelings and replace them with thoughtful
solutions, including not responding.
Practice reflective listening. Spoken language is imprecise, and people under stress often say
things that mask the real things they'd like to say. John Powell said that "In true listening, we
reach behind the words, see through them, to find the person who is being revealed. Listening
is a search to find the treasure of the true person as revealed verbally and non-verbally." The
importance of reflective listening to living a peaceful life is that you stop seeing people
purely from your perspective and start trying hard to dig down into what another person is
really saying and meaning. This can lead to effective give-and-take rather than reacting
according to what you think you hear by inferring and guessing.
6) Seek forgiveness, not revenge. Where does an eye for eye lead to? Usually to many eyes missing.
Pointless and self-perpetuating, given history's lessons we know better. No matter where we live,
what religion we practice or what culture we cultivate, at the heart of everything, we're all humans,
with the same ambitions and aspirations to raise our family, and to live life to its fullest. Our cultural,
religious, and political differences should not provide the backbone to invoke conflicts that can only
bring sadness and destruction to our world. When you feel compelled to harm another out of a
perceived slight to your reputation, or because you feel that their action deserves an equally
abhorrent reaction, you perpetuate anger, violence, and sorrow. Replace this with forgiveness to seek
the way of living peacefully.
Live in the present, not the past. Dwelling on that which should have been and reliving past
hurts will keep the negatives of the past alive and bring constant internal conflict.
Forgiveness allows you to live in the present, to look forward to the future, and to let the past
settle gently. Forgiveness is the ultimate victory because it lets you enjoy life again by
making peace with the past.
Forgiveness lifts you up and frees you from resentment. Forgiveness is about learning -
learning to cope with the negative feelings that arose as a result of the act that made you
angry or upset and you learn by acknowledging those feelings rather than burying them. And
in forgiving, you empathize with the other person, leading you to understand what motivated
them; you don't need to agree with what they did, just to understand.
Realize that it's an insult to mask your anger as being in "defense of another's honor". This
takes away the autonomy of the people whom you are supposedly defending by speaking and
reacting for them (which in turn encourages them to be helpless), and it is a violent excuse for
wrongdoing. Where it's perceived that someone else's honor has been compromised, allow
the alleged victim to speak their own mind (they may not even see it as you do) and to seek
resolution through forgiveness and greater understanding.
Even where you feel forgiveness cannot be given, this is no cause for violence. Instead,
distance yourself and be the better person.
7) Find inner peace. Without inner peace, you'll feel in a constant state of conflict. Trying to fill
your life with possessions or improving yourself by social climbing without ever stopping to value
your inner worth will leave you perpetually unhappy. When you crave something and you don't have
it, you're in a place of conflict. It's easy to forget to be grateful for what you do have when you're
constantly striving to upgrade your possessions, career, house, and life. Equally, owning too much
stuff will create conflict and prevent you from living in peace because you're always at the beck and
call of the "needs" of your possessions, from cleaning and maintenance, to insurance and security.
Cut back to the essentials and make conscious decisions about what improves or beautifies
your life while discarding the rest.
When you're angry, find a nice quiet place to stop, take a deep breath, and relax. Turn off the
TV, stereo, or computer. Get out into nature if possible, or go for a good, long walk. Put on
some soft music or turn down the lights. When you feel calm again, get up and get on with
your life.
At least once a day spend ten minutes in a peaceful place, such as under a shady tree or in the
park, anywhere where you can just sit quietly without distractions.
Living in peace means more than living in the absence of violence. Try to cultivate peace in
all areas of your life by reducing stress as much as possible. Avoid stressful situations, such
as traffic, large crowds, etc., when possible.
8) Live in joy. Choosing to see the wonders of the world is an antidote to violence. It's hard to be
motivated to violence against that which you see as beautiful, wondrous, amazing, and joyful;
indeed, the greatest despair arising from wars comes from the destruction of innocence, beauty, and
joy. Joy brings peace to your life because you're always prepared to see what is good in others and
the world, and to be grateful for the wondrous aspects of life.
Don't self-sabotage your right to be happy. Feeling unworthy of happiness, worrying about
how others will perceive you if you're happy, and worrying about the potential awfulness
when happiness ends are all negative thinking patterns that can undermine the pursuit of joy
in your life.
Do what you love. Life is more than your job. While your job needs to be something that
ensures your livelihood, you also need to fulfill your life's vision. Thich Nhat Hanh has this
guidance: "Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. Do not invest in
companies that deprive others of their chance to life. Select a vocation which helps realize
your ideal of compassion." Decide for yourself how far to take the meaning of his guidance
and seek work that helps sustain a peaceful life.

9) Be the change you wish to see in the world. This isn't just a commonly referred to saying of
Gandhi's it's a call to action. And there are a number of proactive ways that you can become
the peaceful change you'd like to see in the world, including:
Change yourself. Violence starts with your acceptance of its possibility as a solution and
often its inevitability. So its inside you that you need to go to stop violence and become
peaceful. In seeking not to harm living beings, to live peacefully, first change yourself, and
then change the world.
Be part of the solution. Be a person who loves every person for who they truly are. Make
people comfortable around you, and allow them to be themselves with you. You will gain a
lot of friends, and gain respect from the friends you already have.
Join and participate in Peace One Day.[3] Make an online, worldwide commitment to
celebrate the UN International Day of Peace, an annual day of global ceasefire and non-
violence held every 21 September.
Talk to other people about their views of peace. Share ideas about ways to help create a more
peaceful world and ways to embrace differences without falling into conflict. You might like
to make videos to place online, or write stories, poems, or articles to share with everyone
about the importance of peace.
Make sacrifices to help others. The greatest noble cause is to display your desire to bring
about peace in this world by your own sacrifice and not that of those who oppose your views.
Mahatma Gandhi sacrificed his own lucrative law practice in Durban, South Africa to lead a
simple life and to share the pain of the powerless and destitute. He won over the hearts of
millions without ever reigning power over anyone simply with the power of altruism. You
too can bring peace to the world by showing your willingness to sacrifice your self-centered
desires. Win the hearts of others by showing your willingness to serve causes greater than
yourself.[4] At the very least, consider volunteering.
Bring harmony to the world by championing love and peace for all. While this may seem
daunting, reflect upon how Gandhi was able to show that a fragile, meekly man of small
physical stature could achieve feats of incredible magnitude, all based on a staunch belief of
practicing peace through non-violence.[5] Your individual input does matter.
10) Broaden your understanding of peace. You're free to choose your own path. Everything you've
read in this article is but suggestion. It is not to be followed as a dogma, it is not seeking to impose
itself on you, and it may be found as wanting as any other series of suggestions you care to read. At
the end of the day, living in peace will be your own conscious, daily action founded on your own
strivings and understandings, gleaned from all corners of the world, from all people you've ever met
and known, and from your own consciousness and knowledge. Go forth in peace.

The Importance of Honesty
" To gain complete honesty it is important to let go of all your fears and defense mechanisms..."
To be honest is to express the truth with sincerity & without deceit. Honesty is extremely important when it
comes to communicating with others. If your word is not reliable, it is of less value to others. It also helps
build trust - trust helps build and maintain personal relationships. An honest person is more likely to gain the
respect of the public and obtain a positive reputation.
Honesty & Relationships
Relationships are based on trust & are nothing without trust. You can never comfortably trust a person who
isn't honest. Try your best to always remain honest with others to build your 'trustworthy' reputation.

Building relationships not only opens up opportunities, provides you with emotional support, but also helps
you learn. A strong relationship is built on honesty and trust, so make sure you are always honest!
Honesty
What is honesty?
Honesty is telling the truth.
Honesty is straightforward conduct.
Honesty is being sincere, truthful, trustworthy, honorable, fair, genuine, and loyal with integrity.
Honest, trusting kids:
Tell the truth despite consequences
Voice their opinion in a kind, thoughtful way
"Tell on" someone only when necessary
Show and share their feelings
Know their classmates and teachers care and want the best for them
Feel and react without guilt
Express themselves positively as well as critically
You are being honest when you ...
Do your own homework
Tell a friend the truth
Explain the real reason you didn't turn in your homework
Keep your eyes on your own paper
Clean up your room after making a promise
Give the cashier the extra money she gave you by mistake
Write a report in your own words instead of copying
Admit you made the mistake
Keep a friend's secret
Turn in a wallet full of money that you found
Be honest with yourself
Accept responsibility for your own actions; don't blame others.
Be honest about your feelings.
Face issues as they arise.
If you are considering lying, try to think of the consequences.
When confronted with a situation, think of others.
Proverbs and maxims
Truth exists; only falsehood has to be invented. (George Braque)
The truth is more important than the facts. (Frank L. Wright)
In the mountains of truth, you never climb in vain. (Nietzsche)
If you tell the truth, you have infinite power supporting you.
More quotes about honesty
There is no wisdom like frankness. (Disraeli)
A harmful truth is better than a useful lie. (Thomas Mann)
Honesty is the best policy.
Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom. (Jefferson)
One falsehood spoils a thousand truths. (Ashanti proverb)
Heroes and heroines
Confucius was a Chinese philosopher who believed that a person's first duty was to be virtuous.
Cochise was a Native American leader who was known for his honor and for keeping his word.
Barbara Jordan was a remarkable Congresswoman who was a model for honesty in politics.
Martin Luther was a religious leader who led the Reformation movement (against the existing
church) with honesty and courage.
Put honesty into action
Thank someone in your family for being honest.
Tell your parents about a mistake you've made.
Tell the truth when you've done something wrong.
Compliment a friend for being honest.
Express your real feelings without anger, without blaming others, without exaggerating, and without
hurting the feelings of someone else.
Turn in something that is lost and encourage others to do the same.
When someone wants to copy your work, politely explain that it isn't right and that it's best to do
your own work.
Admit a mistake or error in judgment you have made and apologize to anyone it might have affected.
Do your schoolwork honestly
Be truthful with your friends and thank them for being truthful with you.
When you ask someone to be honest with you, don't get angry with them if their honesty isn't what
you wanted to hear.
Community service ideas
Write a letter of thanks to a politician or community leader who has taken a stand on a controversial
issue.
Visit a senior citizen center to play board games with the residents. Make very honest moves as you
play.
Share the meaning of honesty with your family. Ask them to share their ideas with you.
Remind members of your community to be honest. Decorate public areas with signs telling about the
value of honesty.
Create a classroom honor code. Write it down and hang it up in the classroom, so that everyone can
see it all year long.
Plan a class field trip to a daycare center to tell stories with themes of honesty to young children.
8 great reasons to tell the truth
1. Telling the truth lets everyone know what really happened. There's less chances of
misunderstandings, confusion, or conflict.
2. Telling the truth protects innocent people from being blamed or punished.
3. Telling the truth allows everyone to learn from what happened.
4. You usually get into less trouble for telling the truth than for lying (and getting caught).
5. Other people trust you more when you tell the truth.
6. You don't have to tell more lies to keep your story straight.
7. You gain a reputation for being truthful - a trait that most people value.
8. Telling the truth helps you feel secure and peaceful inside.
10 tips for being more truthful
1. Make a commitment to tell the truth and honor it.
2. Tell someone about your commitment and progress.
3. Think before you give a dishonest answer, explanation, or reason.
4. Be careful of when and how you use exaggeration, sarcasm, or irony.
5. Be careful not to twist the truth or leave out part of it.
6. Don't indulge in little white lies; don't get caught in cover-ups.
7. Watch out for silent lies. When you know about a lie and keep quiet, the lie lives on.
8. When you catch yourself lying, throw your mouth into reverse and tell the truth.
9. Talk to yourself quietly and ask what is the best thing to do.
10. Treat your to something special with you tell the truth even when it's hard.
More activities
Write and perform a skit in which you and others debate the saying "Honesty is the best policy."
Discuss what is means to "live a lie."
List examples of what honesty means to you and role-play.
Research whistle-blowers or people who go public about an unfair, unsafe, or unethical practice in
the workplace or other place.
Study honesty and dishonesty in advertising. Read or look at ads - in the news, magazines, on tv.
Learn about the relationship of honesty and (mental) health.
Learn about honesty in scientific or medical research.
Compare national honesty (crime statistics) with local honesty. Which is higher?
Research cultures past and present to learn their views of honesty.
Find out how your school handles dishonesty. Are there student guidelines about cheating, stealing,
lying, plagiarism, and other issues?
Survey your class to find out how honest students are.
Collect pictures of people throughout history who have been known for their honesty.
Write a jingle about honesty or dishonesty.
Read stories about honesty.

COMMITMENT

WHAT IS COMMITMENT
A great business leader once said:
"...the basic philosophy, spirit, and drive of an organization have far more to do with its relative
achievements than do technological or economic resources, organizational structure, innovation, and timing.
All these things weigh heavily in success. But they are, I think, transcended by how strongly the people in
the organization believe in its basic precepts and how faithfully they carry them out." (from Thomas J.
Watson, Jr., A Business and its Beliefs - The ideas that helped build IBM).
As true as this is for the success of a corporation, it is even more so for the individual. The most important
single factor in individual success is COMMITMENT. Commitment ignites action. To commit is to pledge
yourself to a certain purpose or line of conduct. It also means practicing your beliefs consistently. There are,
therefore, two fundamental conditions for commitment. The first is having a sound set of beliefs. There is an
old saying that goes, "Stand for something or you'll fall for anything." The second is faithful adherence to
those beliefs with your behavior. Possibly the best description of commitment is "persistence with a
purpose".
Many successful business people are hailed as visionary leaders. On careful inspection they are found to be
individuals who hold firmly to a simple set of commitments, usually grounded in beliefs such as "the best
product money can buy", or the highest possible customer service". It is the strength of these commitments,
religiously followed, that led to their business success.

WHERE TO PRACTICE
It appears that effective leaders hold dearly to a half dozen commitments. The first, and most basic, of these
is a commitment to a set of values, principles or beliefs. These underlying principles define both the
organization's uniqueness and the fundamental direction in which it wants to head. This first commitment
leads to a common vision and purpose within the organization.
The second commitment is to oneself, to how one acts as a leader. An effective leader possesses a strong
sense of personal integrity and self confidence. This leads to a willingness to share the credit for success.
Another side to this commitment is a deliberate emphasis on continual self-improvement.
The combination of a strong, positive commitment to self and to a set of principles serve as a foundation to
effectively maintain the remaining four commitments. These commitments are to: customers, results,
employees, and the organization.
Everyone has a customer and is a customer to someone else. Customers are usually thought of as external to
the organization who needs your product or service. A question worth asking is, "How much are others
willing to pay for my work?" The price your customers are willing to pay measures its values in their eyes.
Besides serving customers, all organizations target specific results. Given the large number of demands
placed on all of us, it is important to concentrate on achieving the most important goals and objectives.
Commitment to results is largely determined by how clear priorities are, what actions get rewarded, and
what risks are being taken to improve intended results.
The next commitment is to the people. The quality of the organization's commitment to customers and
results is largely based upon the quality of its commitment to people. The simple reason for this is that it is
these people who serve the customer and achieve results. How are people treated in the organization?
Commitment to people is largely the product of treating people with respect, challenging them, and giving
them effective feedback on how they are doing.
The final leadership commitment is to the larger organization. Other departments, higher management, the
organization's overall strategy & mission are important. Communication is the key with this commitment.
How people talk to, and about, each other greatly affects the quality of cooperation. How open are the
channels of communication up, down, and across? Can management be challenged? Will people support
management decisions and changes?
Balancing all six commitments is the key to well directed leadership. When management supports its
employees, they will be able and willing to achieve intended results, When these results support customer
needs and expectations, customers will support the organization with their business. A strong and healthy
organization can then continue to show commitment to its people. The glue that holds this process together
is the values and leaders in the organization.
HOW TO PRACTICE COMMITMENT
Effectively demonstrating commitment to others, to the organization's basic principles, and to oneself is
never easy. The truth is, demonstrating commitment is hard work. Wavering commitment is usually seen as
no commitment at all. The only way to achieve a reputation for commitment is through determination and
persistence. Genuine commitment stands the test of time.
Day to day, commitment is demonstrated by a combination of two actions. The first action is called
supporting. Genuine support develops a commitment in the minds and hearts of others. This is
accomplished by focusing on what is important and leading by example. It is not uncommon for people to be
either confused as to what is important, or lose sight of it over time. Supporting means concentrating on
what adds value, spotlighting what's working, and rewarding others who are focusing on what is important
and leading by example. A crucial aspect of true support is standing up to those who would undermine
commitment, those whose words or actions show disrespect.
The second action underlying commitment is called improving. Improving stretches our commitment to an
even higher level. Commitment means a willingness to look for a better way and learn from the process. It
focuses on eliminating complacency, confronting what is not working, and providing incentives for
improvement. The spirit of improving is rooted in challenging current expectation and ultimately taking the
risk to make changes. These changes are based more on an optimism in the future than dissatisfaction in the
past. It is embodied in the reply of car maker Professor Porsche, who, when asked which was his favorite
model in the long line of Porsche automobiles replied: "I haven't built it yet!"
It is the combination of both supporting and improving behaviors that makes up the practice of commitment.
Separately neither action is capable of sustaining commitment. Promoting alone can come across as a
shallow and pollyannish. Continuous improvement can be seen as "good is never good enough". Together
they provide a needed balance. Both are essential to commitment.
WHEN IT IS MOST IMPORTANT
Commitment is most difficult and most readily proven during tough times. How someone weathers the
storms most clearly demonstrates their basic beliefs. In antiquity, Epicurus stated: "...a captain earns his
reputation during the storms." When your competition scores big against you, when the money dries up, or
when the glamour of success wears off, this is when it is easiest to compromise your commitments. The real
test comes when you can hold the line against the easy route of compromise.
Fortunately, paying the price that commitment commands has payoffs worth the cost - a reputation for
integrity and, even more important, the commitment of others in return. Commitment is a two-way street.
You only get it if you are willing to give it.

What is Empathy?
Empathy is simply recognizing emotions in others, and being able to "put yourself in another person's shoes"
understanding the other person's perspective and reality.
To be empathic, you have to think beyond yourself and your own concerns. Once you see beyond your own
world, you'll realize that there's so much to discover and appreciate!
People who are accused of being egotistical and selfish, or lacking perspective, have often missed the big
picture: that they are only one person in a world with billions of other people (although, yes, this can be
overwhelming if you think about it too long!)
If you've been called any of these things, then remind yourself that the world is full of other people, and you
can't escape their influence on your life. It's far better to accept this, and to decide to build relationships and
understanding, rather than try to stand alone all of the time.
Using Empathy Effectively
To start using empathy more effectively, consider the following:
1. Put aside your viewpoint, and try to see things from the other person's point of view.
When you do this, you'll realize that other people most likely aren't being evil, unkind, stubborn, or
unreasonable they're probably just reacting to the situation with the knowledge they have.
2. Validate the other person's perspective.
Once you "see" why others believe what they believe, acknowledge it. Remember: acknowledgement
does not always equal agreement. You can accept that people have different opinions from your own,
and that they may have good reason to hold those opinions.
3. Examine your attitude.
Are you more concerned with getting your way, winning, or being right? Or, is your priority to find a
solution, build relationships, and accept others? Without an open mind and attitude, you probably
won't have enough room for empathy.
4. Listen.
Listen to the entire message that the other person is trying to communicate.
o Listen with your ears what is being said, and what tone is being used?
o Listen with your eyes what is the person doing with his or her body while speaking?
o Listen with your instincts do you sense that the person is not communicating something
important?
o Listen with your heart what do you think the other person feels?
5. Ask what the other person would do.
When in doubt, ask the person to explain his or her position. This is probably the simplest, and most
direct, way to understand the other person. However, it's probably the least used way to develop
empathy.
It's fine if you ask what the other person wants: you don't earn any "bonus points" for figuring it out
on your own.
For example, the boss who gives her young team members turkey vouchers for the holidays, when
most of them don't even cook, is using her idea of a practical gift not theirs.
Practice these skills when you interact with people. You'll likely appear much more caring and approachable
simply because you increase your interest in what others think, feel, and experience. It's a great gift to be
willing and able to see the world from a variety of perspectives and it's a gift that you can use all of the
time, in any situation.

Here are some more tips for an empathic conversation:
Pay attention, physically and mentally, to what's happening.
Listen carefully, and note the key words and phrases that people use.
Respond encouragingly to the central message.
Be flexible prepare to change direction as the other person's thoughts and feelings also change.
Look for cues that you're on target.

10 Ways to Instantly Build Self Confidence
Self confidence is the difference between feeling unstoppable and feeling scared out of your wits. Your
perception of yourself has an enormous impact on how others perceive you. Perception is reality the more
self confidence you have, the more likely it is youll succeed.
Although many of the factors affecting self confidence are beyond your control, there are a number of things
you can consciously do to build self confidence. By using these 10 strategies you can get the mental edge
you need to reach your potential.
Build Self Confidence

1. Dress Sharp
Although clothes dont make the man, they certainly affect the way he feels about himself. No one is more
conscious of your physical appearance than you are. When you dont look good, it changes the way you
carry yourself and interact with other people. Use this to your advantage by taking care of your personal
appearance. In most cases, significant improvements can be made by bathing and shaving frequently,
wearing clean clothes, and being cognizant of the latest styles.
This doesnt mean you need to spend a lot on clothes. One great rule to follow is spend twice as much, buy
half as much. Rather than buying a bunch of cheap clothes, buy half as many select, high quality items. In
long run this decreases spending because expensive clothes wear out less easily and stay in style longer than
cheap clothes. Buying less also helps reduce the clutter in your closet.
2. Walk Faster
One of the easiest ways to tell how a person feels about herself is to examine her walk. Is it slow? tired?
painful? Or is it energetic and purposeful? People with confidence walk quickly. They have places to go,
people to see, and important work to do. Even if you arent in a hurry, you can increase your self confidence
by putting some pep in your step. Walking 25% faster will make to you look and feel more important.

3. Good Posture
Similarly, the way a person carries herself tells a story. People with slumped shoulders and lethargic
movements display a lack of self confidence. They arent enthusiastic about what theyre doing and they
dont consider themselves important. By practicing good posture, youll automatically feel more confident.
Stand up straight, keep your head up, and make eye contact. Youll make a positive impression on others
and instantly feel more alert and empowered.
4. Personal Commercial
One of the best ways to build confidence is listening to a motivational speech. Unfortunately, opportunities
to listen to a great speaker are few and far between. You can fill this need by creating a personal
commercial. Write a 30-60 second speech that highlights your strengths and goals. Then recite it in front of
the mirror aloud (or inside your head if you prefer) whenever you need a confidence boost.
5. Gratitude
When you focus too much on what you want, the mind creates reasons why you cant have it. This leads you
to dwell on your weaknesses. The best way to avoid this is consciously focusing on gratitude. Set aside time
each day to mentally list everything you have to be grateful for. Recall your past successes, unique skills,
loving relationships, and positive momentum. Youll be amazed how much you have going for you and
motivated to take that next step towards success.
6. Compliment other people
When we think negatively about ourselves, we often project that feeling on to others in the form of insults
and gossip. To break this cycle of negativity, get in the habit of praising other people. Refuse to engage in
backstabbing gossip and make an effort to compliment those around you. In the process, youll become well
liked and build self confidence. By looking for the best in others, you indirectly bring out the best in
yourself.
7. Sit in the front rowIn schools, offices, and public assemblies around the world, people constantly strive
to sit at the back of the room. Most people prefer the back because theyre afraid of being noticed. This
reflects a lack of self confidence. By deciding to sit in the front row, you can get over this irrational fear and
build your self confidence. Youll also be more visible to the important people talking from the front of the
room.
8. Speak up
During group discussions many people never speak up because theyre afraid that people will judge them for
saying something stupid. This fear isnt really justified. Generally, people are much more accepting than we
imagine. In fact most people are dealing with the exact same fears. By making an effort to speak up at least
once in every group discussion, youll become a better public speaker, more confident in your own thoughts,
and recognized as a leader by your peers.
9. Work out
Along the same lines as personal appearance, physical fitness has a huge effect on self confidence. If youre
out of shape, youll feel insecure, unattractive, and less energetic. By working out, you improve your
physcial appearance, energize yourself, and accomplish something positive. Having the discipline to work
out not only makes you feel better, it creates positive momentum that you can build on the rest of the day.
10. Focus on contribution
Too often we get caught up in our own desires. We focus too much on ourselves and not enough on the
needs of other people. If you stop thinking about yourself and concentrate on the contribution youre making
to the rest of the world, you wont worry as much about you own flaws. This will increase self confidence
and allow you to contribute with maximum efficiency. The more you contribute to the world the more youll
be rewarded with personal success and recognition.

Spiritual
That which is spiritual is sacred and the concept of sacred is interchangeable with the concept of "holy"-a
word derived from an Old English word meaning, "whole" and perfect in goodness. A religious person may
be spiritual, but a spiritual person is not necessarily religious.
Spirituality refers to the evolutionary process as it drives us forward, eventually, to perfect wholeness. It
relates to the expansion or evolution of consciousness. And, thus all activity-be it physical, emotional,
intuitional and so forth-that leads towards greater perfection, goodness and wholeness is therefore spiritual.
The scientist working, for example, on a cancer cure is involved in spiritual work, as is the diplomat
attempting to bring harmony between warring parties or the artist seeking to create a beautiful masterpiece
for enhancing the quality of life.
Spiritual values are qualified by ever-widening horizons, synthesis, growth and wholeness as well as greater
vision, understanding and integration.
We know that without the physical sun, the world would be a dark, cold, dead place. Without the Soul-the
heart of the inner spiritual wisdom-the inner sun, the world is full of psychological darkness in the form of
ignorance, selfishness and separateness.
The renaissance or resurrection that is needed today is for the liberation of the spiritual essence within the
heart of humanity. For, there is no way for us to resolve our many global problems and issues unless we are
willing to recognize the inner spiritual essence and accept the true and lasting authority of the Soul-the
divine spiritual essence at the heart of each human being.

What is Character?
The action you take to carry out the values, ethics and morals that you believe in.
Consistency between what you say you will do and what you actually do.
Putting the ethics into action.
Defines, builds, or breaks your reputation.
Moral strength. It takes moral courage to do what is right when it may cost more than you
are willing to pay.
Who you are and what you do when no one is looking.
The Six Pillars of Character
The CHARACTER COUNTS! approach to character education doesn't exclude anyone. That's why we base
our programs and materials on six ethical values that everyone can agree on values that are not political,
religious, or culturally biased. Use the points below to help young people understand the Six Pillars, and use
the mnemonic devices at right to help them remember.
Trustworthiness
Be honest Dont deceive, cheat, or steal Be reliable do what you say youll do Have the courage to
do the right thing Build a good reputation Be loyal stand by your family, friends, and country
Respect
Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule Be tolerant and accepting of differences Use good
manners, not bad language Be considerate of the feelings of others Dont threaten, hit or hurt anyone
Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements
Responsibility
Do what you are supposed to do Plan ahead Persevere: keep on trying! Always do your best Use self-
control Be self-disciplined Think before you act consider the consequences Be accountable for your
words, actions, and attitudes Set a good example for others
Fairness
Play by the rules Take turns and share Be open-minded; listen to others Dont take advantage of others
Dont blame others carelessly Treat all people fairly
Caring
Be kind Be compassionate and show you care Express gratitude Forgive others Help people in need
Citizenship
Do your share to make your school and community better Cooperate Get involved in community affairs
Stay informed; vote Be a good neighbor Obey laws and rules Respect authority Protect the
environment Volunteer

WHAT IS SERVICE-LEARNING?
Service-Learning Definition and Elements
Definition
Definition - Service-Learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community
service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and
strengthen communities.
Goals
o Enhance social and academic learning
o Develop character and citizenship skills
o Learn about the issues
o Develop an action plan for service
o Engage in meaningful service by working on a project that will make a difference
Types of Service-Learning Activities
The following list gives a sense of the many ways students can apply instruction and practice needed skills
through helping others. Full-scale projects include formal linkages with coursework, and part of the student
grade is tied to the service-learning activities. Note that different types of projects have students apply
different skills.
Direct Service Learning: person-to-person, face-to-face service projects in which the students service
directly impacts individuals who receive the service from the students. Examples include:
o Tutoring other students and adults
o Conducting art/music/dance lessons for younger students
o Helping other students resolve conflict
o Giving performances on violence and drug prevention
o Creating lessons and presenting them to younger students
o Creating life reviews for Hospice patients
Impact on/skills practiced by servers include the following: caring for others, personal responsibility,
dependability, interpersonal skills, ability to get along with others who are different, problem-solving,
beginning-to-end, big-picture learning.
Indirect Service Learning: working on broad issues, environmental projects, community development-
projects that have clear benefits to the community or environment, but not necessarily to individual
identified people with whom the students are working. Examples include:
o Compiling a town history
o Restoring historic structures or building low-income housing
o Removing exotic plants and restoring ecosystems, preparing preserve areas for public use
Impact on/skills practiced by servers include the following: cooperation, teamwork skills,
playing different roles, organizing, prioritizing, project-specific skills.
Research-Based Service Learning:gathering and presenting information on areas of interest and need-
projects that find, gather, and report on information that is needed. Examples include:
o Writing a guide on available community services andtranslating it into Spanish and other
languages of new residents
o Conducting longitudinal studies of local bodies of water; water testing for local residents
o Gathering information and creating brochures or videos for non-profit or government
agencies
o Mapping state lands and monitoring flora and fauna
o Conducting surveys, studies, evaluations, experiments, interviews, etc.
Impact on/skills practiced by servers include the following: learn how to learn/get answers/find information,
make discriminating judgments, work systematically, organizational skills, learn how to assess, evaluate,
and test hypotheses.
Advocacy Service Learning:educating others about topics of public interest - projects that aim to create
awareness and action on some issue that is in the public interest. Examples include:
o Planning and putting on public forums on topics of interest in the community
o Conducting public information campaigns on topics of interest or local needs
o Working with elected officials to draft legislationto improve communities
o Training the community in fire safety or disaster preparation
Impact on/skills practiced by servers include the following: perseverance; understanding rules, systems,
processes; engaged citizenship, working with adults.
Seven Elements of High Quality Service-Learning
High Quality Service
The service responds to an actual community need that is recognized by the community.
The service is age-appropriate and well organized.
The service is designed to achieve significant benefits for students and the community.
Student Voice
Students participate actively in:
Choosing and planning the service project;
Planning and implementing the reflection sessions, evaluation and celebration;
Taking on roles and tasks that are appropriate to their age.
Reflection
Reflection establishes connections between students service experiences and the academic
curriculum.
Reflection occurs before, during, and after the service-learning project.
Integrated Learning
The service-learning project has clearly articulated knowledge, skill or value goals that arise from the
broader classroom and school goals.
The service informs the academic learning content, and the academic learning content informs the
service
Life skills learned outside the classroom are integrated back into learning.
Collaboration
The service-learning project is collaboration among as many of these partners as is feasible: students,
community-based organization staff, support staff, administrators, faculty, and recipients of service.
All partners benefit from the project and contribute to its planning.
Civic Responsibility
The service-learning project promotes students responsibility to care for others and contribute to the
community.
By participating in the service-learning project, students understand how they can impact their
community.
Evaluation
All the partners, especially students, are involved in evaluating the service-learning project.
The evaluation seeks to measure progress toward the learning and service goals of the project.

The Engineering Code of Ethics

Fundamental Principles
Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the engineering profession by:
1. using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare;
2. being honest and impartial and serving with fidelity the public, their employers and clients;
3. striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession; and
4. supporting the professional and technical societies of their disciplines.

Fundamental Canons
1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in the performance of their
professional duties.
2. Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.
3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in a subjective and truthful manner.
4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall
avoid conflicts of interest.
5. Engineers shall build their professioal reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly
with others.
6. Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity of the
engineering profession.
7. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and shall provide
opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under their supervision.

kanthi