Living Well - A Code of Conduct
"Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
— The United States Declaration of Independence (1776)
We all live by a code of conduct, whether we realize it or not.
Every person's path is unique, yet there are timeless principles that can help us walk our individual paths with greater peace, purpose, and fulfillment, regardless of our backgrounds.
Every life includes joy and sorrow, success and failure, mountaintops and valleys. The question is not whether challenges will come. The questions we should ask ourselves are:
How do we live well today?
Can we teach the next generation to live well?
The Simple Facts
Living well doesn't have to be complicated. Throughout history, people from every culture have discovered simple truths that help us find greater peace, purpose, and enjoyment in life.
- Peace steadies our hearts.
- A peaceful life is available now.
- A well-lived life is built one moment at a time.
- Happy moments come and go.
- Character helps us choose the next best step even when it isn’t the popular one.
- Life is more enjoyable when we pursue good, obtainable goals.
- Life is even more enjoyable when we share those goals and dreams with others and work together to pursue those dreams.
These simple facts provide a solid foundation for living well. The rest of Teach Virtues is simply a practical way of putting them into practice, one step at a time.
The Simple Path (ABC+)
At Teach Virtues, we believe our individual paths are more rewarding when we practice the 4 principles of healthy living (ABC+ Living).
A = Anchor Yourself - find peace within through the practice of simple meditation (take 5 minutes to calm the mind)
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- Calm the mind
- Breathe
- Anywhere, anytime when peace is lacking
The Simple Path (ABC+)
B = Be Present - find peace with our surroundings through the practice of mindfulness
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- Notice life around you
- Pay attention to the moment
- Life is happening now
- Connect with nature
- Connect with people
The Simple Path (ABC+)
C = Character Building - Choose the Next Right Step by prioritizing virtues
- Be respectful, kind, and honest
- Be responsible, grateful, and patient (persevering)
- Be courageous, humble, and self-controlled (grit)
- Be compassionate, forgiving, and wise
Each of us can choose the next good step. One good choice naturally leads to another, and over time those choices build our character. Practicing virtuous living helps us to be positive people. Positive, uplifting people build a stronger more hopeful society.
The Simple Path (ABC+)
+ = Engaging Life with Passion - adding meaning and purpose to life by pursuing goals, dreams, and worthwhile work.
Schools are doing this exceeding well.
Our to-do lists today should be the dreams of yesterday and the preparation of years gone by.
Plus (+) living means pursuing meaningful goals, dreams and worthwhile work. A fulfilling life is rarely stagnant. It continues to learn, grow, create, and contribute.
Plus (+) living also means encouraging others as they pursue their own goals.
Plus (+) living includes caring for our bodies so that we have strength, energy, and flexibility to live, love, work and play throughout life.
The Heart of ABC+ Living
This is a completely free concept.
- No sign-up forms.
- No fees.
- No commitments.
At its core, ABC+ living is a contagious devotion to goodness that nurtures love and strengthens hope for a brighter future.
By practicing ABC+ Living, we discover that life becomes more rewarding when we put purpose and meaning behind our actions.
It is amazing what can be accomplished when we structure our lives and take small, bite-sized steps day after day.