In a world bursting at the seams with 9-to-5 hustlers and LinkedIn gurus, there lived a bunch of virtues, so neglected and so underrated, that they were often forgotten in the dusty corners of the self-improvement library. These were not your typical, grab-the-bull-by-the-horns kind of virtues, nope! These were what the wise old owl, David Brooks, called ‘Eulogy Virtues.‘
Why Eulogy Virtues Don’t Wear Capes
We live in a world that’s like a colossal, never-ending career fair. Resume virtues – the skills that earn you the corner office with the city view – they get all the limelight. But the underdogs, the eulogy virtues, these are the guys that stand by you, like loyal friends, even when the coffee machine breaks down on a Monday morning.
In the workplace, we could do with a sprinkle of eulogy virtues. Let’s say you’re Jack. You can crunch numbers faster than a high-end calculator, but can you lend an ear to a colleague who’s having a hard day? Can you create a workspace where ideas pop like corn in a hot pan? That’s where honesty, empathy, and integrity put on their superhero capes and come to your rescue. No cape for the coffee machine, though, unfortunately.
Virtues at Home: No WiFi Needed
Moving to the personal realm, we often forget that virtues like kindness and patience don’t require a WiFi connection or a subscription. They are like the free apps that make your life better without you even noticing.
They’re the subtle nudge that tells you to call your mother, the voice that encourages you to help your neighbor with his groceries, or the chuckle you suppress when your significant other sings off-key in the shower. These virtues enrich our lives, nurturing our relationships like a well-timed cat video nurtures our love for the Internet.
Eulogy Virtues: The Real Social Network
When it comes to social interactions, eulogy virtues are like the secret ingredients in your grandma’s famous apple pie. They don’t make the pie look good, but boy do they make it taste heavenly.
In a world where our thumbs are constantly in a state of scroll-induced hypnosis, virtues like empathy, respect, and understanding play a pivotal role. They are the reminders that even though you can order a pizza with an emoji, you still can’t replace the warmth of a genuine human connection.
The Virtue Bootcamp
So, how do you start flexing these virtue muscles, you ask? It’s simple.
- Start by taking a break from your quest for world domination and indulge in some good ol’ introspection. Some call it mindful reflection, but we like to call it getting to know your own superhero identity.
- Next, swap your x-ray vision for a pair of empathy glasses. It won’t let you see through walls, but it will let you see through the walls that people build around themselves.
- Lastly, unleash your kindness quotient. Hold a door, make a cup of tea, or simply lend a smile – no act of kindness is ever too small to count.
Embarking on this journey is like learning to ride a bicycle – you’ll wobble, you’ll fall, and you might even bruise your ego, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be off, cruising down the path to a life that’s fulfilling and worth remembering.
In the end, it’s not about becoming the LinkedIn Influencer of the Year or the Master of Resume Virtues. It’s about being remembered as Jack, the calculator wizard who always had an open ear, a kind word, and a coffee machine repair kit. It’s about being the star of your own eulogy, with virtues that don’t wear capes, but inspire stories worth telling.
Maverick 