All posts by Jonathan Hilton

DPT

Your Kindness Counts

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Kindness-the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.

“Remember, there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” – Scott Adams

In every thought, in every word, in every action a person takes, there is an opportunity to practice kindness. It comes down to a simple choice to make life a better experience for someone else or to make it more difficult. You make this choice a hundred times a day. Look at all the interactions you have, either in person or even in the world of social media. Each comes with a chance to be kind or not, and you are the only person who can make that choice.

Ripple Effect

Much like casting a stone in the water, that water will ripple outward from the point of impact is clear and constant waves. You never know where those waves are going to end up. But they do exist and move out affecting the world in some small way. Kindness is like that, even though you may not be able to see where the ripples of a kind act land, they do exist and will land in some small or large way in the world.  So do the deeds of insensitivity, judgment, or meanness.

All of the actions you create are going to have an impact on the world. They provide energy to the lives of all the people that you interact with and to yourself.  Think about the effect you want rippling out from your life. Is it going to be positive or negative?  The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate has the power to make your ripples positively change the world.

All Things Get Better

Whenever you choose to practice kindness in your life, it will make whatever situation you are in becoming a better one.  You never know what struggles a person is suffering on the inside behind a happy front. Your choice of kindness may be the

Kindness makes all things better

thing that keeps hope in humanity alive for these people.  Being kind is not something a person does for what they can get, but because that is who you are.

No matter what choices you have made up until this point, today, you can make a change by being kind to someone else.  Kindness in its most basic existence is to see the humanity in someone else and put the happiness of that person as a priority.  It makes all situations more enjoyable, memorable, and fun. And again, we choose the level of kindness we spread in our lives.  Kindness is a gift we give expecting nothing in return. But we get a great deal in our soul, and that is not something that needs to be recognized by anyone else. It just is.

Be Kind Today

Make an effort today, when the situation arises, to give a compliment from the heart, to smile at someone to spread joy, to be supportive of another when you can. Stay away from speaking poorly of another, or gossiping about someone else’s situation. Rather than judge, accept. The life that receives the most benefit will be yours.  Take a moment and be conscious of the kindness you can give today

“Sometimes, it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.” – Jackie Chan

“Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.” – Harold S. Kushner

“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” – Princess Diana

Great Articles on Kindness

Random Acts of Kindness

Kindness Makes You Happy… and Happiness Makes You Kind

11 people whose random acts of kindness took over the internet

The Power of Kindness

Kindness News 

DPT

Positivity Project Day 1- Kindness

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This is the beginning of a video project that I hope will last 100 days. It has been quite a learning experience already and I hope to improve my consciousness, improve my confidence in speaking, become a better person, and to hopefully help other people raise their consciousness as well.

Day one of the Daily Positive Thoughts is about Kindness. Enjoy the video below and get prepared for at least 99 more in the future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC-CoJNmu9c

Life Lessons

It’s All About The Music

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Music is a powerful force in life. It has the ability to take you outside of your current experience and transport you to another place, another time and help you to remember another you. Being fortunate enough to grow up when I did, there are literally hundreds of songs and artists that have touched my life.

I have known Mike Marting since we were 5 years old and in kindergarten in Greenville, Maine. We were talking the other day about songs and their connection to our memories and we decided to declare October 2017 as nostalgic music month.  What this means is that we will be choosing artists and songs each day and sharing them, along with the nostalgic connection to the past brought with them.  There are moments that happen to each of us that capture a mood, that we enjoy revisiting like an old friend.

This is our mission and we invite anyone who wants to make a suggestion or add their own nostalgic songs and experiences to send them to me or him through this page, Facebook, email or the post office if anyone remembers how to do that.  Enjoy the day and we will see you in October, Nostalgic Music Month sponsored by Jamos and Breton’s Store.

We will do our best to complete this task each day for ourselves more than anything to connect to those times that are gone but not forgotten of our well spent, and not so well spent younger days.

DPT

What are YOU Grateful For?

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Daily Positive Thought: What are YOU grateful for? 

Sometimes in life, things don’t go the way we think they should and it is easy to get discouraged or down at these moments. A relationship ends, a loved one passes, a job is lost, you are having a physical ailment, or even much more minor problems come into our focus and make us angry, fearful, anxious and our attitudes and feelings reflect on this. This is the energy we are bringing into our consciousness.

A human mind is a powerful tool that creates thoughts and can help us to solve complex problems. Our thoughts push us in a direction of achievement and if we are conscious we can control and direct this tool in a certain direction.  One of the facts about the human mind is that we can only entertain one thought at a time. That is it. Our thoughts can come fast and furious but they arrive in our consciousness one at a time. They bring with them a corresponding set of emotions and this all combines to create our energy.

This is where thoughts of gratitude can bring their true power to you.  When you are angry, fearful, or just worried.  Take a moment and list the things in your life you are grateful for.  First, it is easy to take things for granted, even great things. To spend a moment to focus on the positive things we do have is important.  When your thoughts are focused on gratitude, your corresponding sets of emotions will be positive. That will lead to words and actions that are positive as well. All stemming from simple thoughts of gratitude.

Take a moment right now to honestly look at your life and make a quick list of the three things you are most grateful for.  Keep these things in your mind and when you are feeling overwhelmed, angry, frustrated or fearful, take a moment and think of them.  Really think of them. Spend your time with them in your mind. Think about what is good and your mood, perspective and attitude will change.

Being conscious of our gratitude also opens our mind up to receive more good things.  Give it an honest, conscious try and see what happens to your mood. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

What are three things you are grateful for right now??????

Quick list to help you find gratitude:

community, relationships, love, kindness, friends, family, earth, sun, health, job, money in your pocket, this moment, positive memories, special moments, rest, play, action, thoughts, acitivity, intelligence, learning, healing, experience, joyful times, kindness, food to eat, safety of being, freedom, your mind……….

You Should know

30 Rights We All Have

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Human rights is a phrase that I am sure is thrown about by politicians like a football. Yet they were not taught in any class I ever took at any level of my education and they should have been.  Understanding what we should aspire to in our behavior, the way we treat others and accept how others treat us. Seems like this should be a list all people know and understand. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights lists 30 rights all people have and a time these are denied from somebody, that is a Human Rights Violation.  I think they are worth a little focus, and attention in our lives.  I am going to spend a few weeks on these 30. Writing about each one and the validity of each. They were written in 1948 originally and I am not sure how they have stood the test of time.

In any case, all people should be aware of their basic human rights. Seems like a no-brainer.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948, was the result of the experience of the Second World War.

1. We are all free and equal. We are all born free. We all have our own thoughts and ideas. We should all be treated in the same way.

2. Don’t discriminate. These rights belong to everybody, whatever our differences.

3. The right to life. We all have the right to life, and to live in freedom and safety.

4. No slavery – past, and present. Nobody has any right to make us a slave. We cannot make anyone our slave.

5. No Torture. Nobody has any right to hurt us or to torture us.

6. We all have the same right to use the law. I am a person just like you!

7. We are all protected by the law. The law is the same for everyone. It must treat us all fairly.

8. Fair treatment by fair courts. We can all ask for the law to help us when we are not treated fairly.

9. No unfair detainment. Nobody has the right to put us in prison without a good reason and keep us there, or to send us away from our country.

10. The right to trial. If we are put on trial this should be in public. The people who try us should not let anyone tell them what to do.

11. Innocent until proven guilty. Nobody should be blamed for doing something until it is proven. When people say we did a bad thing we have the right to show it is not true.

12. The right to privacy. Nobody should try to harm our good name. Nobody has the right to come into our home, open our letters or bother us or our family without a good reason.

13. Freedom to move. We all have the right to go where we want in our own country and to travel as we wish.

14. The right to asylum. If we are frightened of being badly treated in our own country, we all have the right to run away to another country to be safe.

15. The right to a nationality. We all have the right to belong to a country.

16. Marriage and family. Every grown-up has the right to marry and have a family if they want to. Men and women have the same rights when they are married, and when they are separated.

17. Your own things. Everyone has the right to own things or share them. Nobody should take our things from us without a good reason.

18. Freedom of thought. We all have the right to believe in what we want to believe, to have a religion, or to change it if we want.

19. Free to say what you want. We all have the right to make up our own minds, to think what we like, to say what we think, and to share our ideas with other people.

20. Meet where you like. We all have the right to meet our friends and to work together in peace to defend our rights. Nobody can make us join a group if we don’t want to.

21. The right to democracy. We all have the right to take part in the government of our country. Every grown-up should be allowed to choose their own leaders.

22. The right to social security. We all have the right to affordable housing, medicine, education, and child care, enough money to live on and medical help if we are ill or old.

23. Workers’ rights. Every grown-up has the right to do a job, to a fair wage for their work, and to join a trade union.

24. The right to play. We all have the right to rest from work and to relax.

25. A bed and some food. We all have the right to a good life. Mothers and children, people who are old, unemployed or disabled, and all people have the right to be cared for.

26. The right to education. Education is a right. Primary school should be free. We should learn about the United Nations and how to get on with others. Our parents can choose what we learn.

27. Culture and copyright. Copyright is a special law that protects one’s own artistic creations and writings; others cannot make copies without permission. We all have the right to our own way of life and to enjoy the good things that “art,” science and learning bring.

28. A free and fair world. There must be proper order so we can all enjoy rights and freedoms in our own country and all over the world.

29. Our responsibilities. We have a duty to other people, and we should protect their rights and freedoms.

30. Nobody can take away these rights and freedoms from us.

* List provided by Youth For Human Rights International, adapted and simplified from the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Here is a link to the original:  http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

DPT

Leaving The Past

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Daily Positive Thought: Don’t let your past define you.

The past is a mental image we have created about our history. It is very easy to allow these thoughts about the mistakes and the victories of the past bubble up and dictate the way we feel about ourselves today.  It can be convenient to lose yourself in a memory, but a memory is just a thought and although we can learn from the past, living there makes for a poor reality. Today is all that you are guaranteed in this life, yesterday is gone and you can’t bring it back, tomorrow is a hope, never a promise. To live your best today, don’t let your past define you.

Leaving the Bad

Every person in the history of people has made mistakes. Some are big, and others just small misjudgments. We are all responsible for the things we do and the decisions we make, but that doesn’t mean you have to carry them with you for the rest of your life.  Admit them, see the value in the mistake and move forward in your life.  Our memories are a funny thing, we can remember things, they are not infallible. People seem to remember things exactly how they want to or need to.  Letting a memory dictate your self-esteem seems like a losing battle.

We build attachments to the events in our past, and they become a part of us, just like they become a part of our story.  The thing to remember is that as long as you are alive you are still writing your story. It is going to have the things in it you allow to have today. Learn from the past, become a better version of yourself and leave the past where it belongs.

Glory Days

There are many events of the past which were very rewarding and enjoyable.  These days are hard to leave behind because they still bring joy in our thoughts, even when times are not so good right now. But they are still just thoughts, and what you accomplished in the past, can act as nothing more than a lesson today.  To focus on it is living in a fantasy. Let it go.

Nobody is defined by their past, but by the choices we make today.  Many of them are because of our past, and the attachments we have built to it.  Each movement of your body, choice, and decision you make are what dictates who you are in the present moment. That is the extent of what you need to worry about.  What happened yesterday, ten years ago, or 25 years ago is over and done with.

Don’t let them decide who you are today. Make the choice to be the best person you can be today.  If we all make that choice, the world would be a pretty kind and interesting place.

“You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don’t try to forget the mistakes, but you don’t dwell on it. You don’t let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space.”   Johnny Cash

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”  Gautama Buddha

DPT

Five Easy Breaths

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Daily Positive Thought- Pay Attention to Just Five Breaths

It is amazing the power you have by simply breathing. It is one of the systems in the body which is both involuntary and voluntary at the same time. This makes the act of breathing something we do all the time without thinking but can use in a conscious way in order to find our thoughts, change our emotional state or step into the present moment.  It is a simple process of learning to breathe deeply when you feel emotions rise, feel overwhelmed or out of sorts.  Find a space where you can close your eyes for a minute and breathe a little deeper than normal and then let it out, letting it last as long as it took to inhale.  Continually put your focus on that for a few minutes and you will feel calmer and the emotions will start to dissipate.  In a pinch, I look for a spot to find time for five easy breaths.  It isn’t always enough but it never hurts.

Easing your Stress

I am not one of the more stressed out people in the world but I do have my moments.  As most men my age I was always taught by society and by example to keep it all inside and never let anyone know that you are upset. The problem with this lack of expression is that you are a human being and you are going to have feelings. If you don’t express them in a healthy way then they will come out somehow. Usually not in a very positive way.

When you spend your thoughts on anger and frustration then the energy you have to give to your relationships, job, or others in your life is going to be negative as well. Take a moment and breath in a little deeper than normal and then release it. Focusing on your breathing the whole time.  This simple action will allow you to step into the present moment and leave the thoughts of anger and fear in their own places. Learning to deal with your emotional responses can be one of the most important skills a person can add to their life. Emotions are going to arise, and taking a moment and calming your self before you react to them may just allow you to not act in haste or irrationally.

Give it a Try

If you do nothing else today, take a moment and take your five easy breaths. Watching the inhale and the exhale paying attention to each moment of the process. Then after you are done evaluating the response you have. I have found myself see things I didn’t notice before that are right in front of me, a clarity of thought and a calmness of emotions all from the use of five simple breaths.  My positive thought for today is for you to try this and see what it does for you.

“Do not be afraid that joy will make the pain worse; it is needed like the air we breathe.”  —Goran Persson

“Remember to breathe. It is after all, the secret of life.”–Gregory Maguire

“It’s a breath you took too late. It’s a death that’s worse than fate.”–Elvis Costello

“When you own your breath, nobody can steal your peace.”- Anonymous

Life

What Makes Me Country

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Daily Positive Thought:  Be Proud of Who You Are

camping cooking
Can still start, maintain and cook over a fire. That makes me country.

I heard a song by Luke Bryan recently that asked me, “What Makes You Country?”  It made me think about my life and what exactly does make me a country kid from Maine and the list of things is long. So I accept you challenge Luke Bryan and am going to tell you why I am country and most of it has to do with the experiences I had when I was growing up.  There are few things I am happier about than the experience I was fortunate enough to have in my formative years.  It wasn’t always easy, but it was the thing that makes me as country as anyone in the world. I am going to try to boil it down to a few experiences but really there are too many to list in this short space.  I will do my best.

I was Raised in the Woods

Recently, I went camping and hadn’t done that in many years, I still know how to build a fire, and cook food over it. These skills didn’t just come to me, when I was a kid, I spent every summer on the shores of a rural pond in Jefferson, Maine.  If we wanted heat, we needed to start a fire.  We didn’t have to cook on an open fire, but I learned to do it in a pinch.  There was no sewage system in that camp, so we survived using an outhouse.  If you don’t know what that is, well it is a small

camp, dyer's pond, raised in the woods
This was our camp in the summer, surrounded by woods and water. That is me rowing the boat, I think. 

building, a ways away from your dwelling, with a hole in the ground under it, I will let your imagination figure out what ended up in the hole.  A small price to pay for the experience.  When we left at the end of the summer, you did appreciate the wonders of indoor plumbing.

Being in the woods, the only water we had running in the house came from the lake, so you had to fetch, carry, and haul all of your drinking water from other places.  This was a daily chore that I was not all that fond off, but you get to understand the value of having drinking water and that it is a precious element.  When it comes to bathing, well that was what the lake was for.  We went swimming several times a day. I never thought this was a hardship, it was just the way things were and the way life moved for me.  It was good.

Freedom and Creativity

I was also very fortunate to have a large playground at my disposal. There were many acres of land and lots of lake for me, my brothers, and other kids on the lake to play on. I would get up in the morning, eat something for breakfast, and be set

I still remember the barefoot boy I used to be.

free for the day. I was required to eat lunch, and have an adult of some kind watch us when we went swimming, but other than that we were limited only by our imaginations, and the effort we wanted to put forth.  We built things, fished, swam, ran, played, and learned on a daily basis.  I learned to appreciate a soft-wooded path as you ran barefoot from one place to another.

I also learned to have an appreciation for the beauty and power that a lake can have. It provides a lot to you, but you have to respect it or you pay the price.  I learned about the ecosystem of the lake, and all of the thousands of animals that made that lake the center of their life.  Every kind of bird you can imagine, snakes, frogs, fish, turtles, eels, deer, moose, raccoons, beaver, or any other kind of wildlife you can imagine in Maine.  I knew it. Not as a word, but as a part of my life as I ran the paths along the shores of Dyer’s Pond in Jefferson, Maine.

Being Country

Now many years later, the memories of these things are even more valuable. I learned skills that still translate today. I also know what it is to go without, so I appreciate it when I don’t have to. A family was the most important part of being country because without that, you wouldn’t have had the teachers you had. My father was a good teacher and so were my brothers. We learned all about the value

What an outhouse looks like. For those who need the graphic

of fire, water, and love.  My mother also instilled a lot of my solid country values as well.  There was always music and singing in the house, and I learned to relate to music because of that.

The best nights I remember are when we would all tramp through the woods along the dirt road to visit my grandparents a few camps down the road. It was maybe a ten-minute walk, on the way it was light out and easy. We would all visit, talk, play, and enjoy our family time and then it would be time to go home and as a group, we would walk together following my father and his flashlight through the woods until we were all safe at home.  As we were tucked in and read to, we would fall asleep every night to the sounds of the woods. Crickets, frogs, and birds.  A loon calling from his lonely swim on the lake.  We fell asleep with the dreams and hopes of what the next day in the woods would bring.

I know that I do not have the singular possession of a rural upbringing, I hope there are thousands of people who have the same kind of background as I did.  When you remember it, it allows you to have a strength inside that you can call on, in any situation. Be brave, be resourceful, respect your environment and be grateful for what you have. That is some of what makes me country. 

Life Lessons

Secrets to a Happy Life

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Secrets to A Happy Life is my gift to anyone who visits this blog, it is a quick compilation of thoughts about achieving happiness in life. Just enter information and it will take you to the gift quickly and painlessly. (I hope) I wish you the best in all you do.

My 12 Secrets to a Happy Life

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Life Lessons

My Character

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 Character Strengths Evaluation

A while ago, I took a  quiz online that would reveal my strengths and characterweaknesses.   It was called the VIA Character Strengths profile test.

Be prepared; it is a rather lengthy test. This post is about the results I got from taking the test.

I enjoy doing creative things because, most often, they reveal a lot about yourself. I will show you what they said were my strengths and then give my opinion on their validity and value because that’s what I do.

This report is what their website says about the test: “Your character strengths are already within you, but isolating and identifying them can be complicated, confusing, and incredibly time-consuming. The VIA Me! Character Strengths Profile is designed to help you quickly discover the strengths you already have and gain more in-depth insight into what makes you who you are. ” 

The link to the survey is HERE. It takes about 20-30 minutes to complete.

My overall assessment was that the test is interesting and worth the time to complete. I did not agree with everything, but it is interesting to consider where a test puts your character compared to what you believe in your mind.

Your Top Character Strength

Forgiveness
You forgive those who have done you wrong. You always give people a second chance. Your guiding principle is mercy and not revenge.

My thought: It is true, there is no need to carry a grudge. All things happen for a reason. To hold a grievance is belittling to you and stops you from growing and moving forward. This stance was not always the case in my life. 

Your Second Character Strength

Curiosity
You are curious about everything. You are always asking questions, and you find all subjects and topics fascinating. You like exploration and discovery.

My thought: Since I love trying these types of things to see what will happen and what I can learn, I would have to agree with this. I am curious, and it is a strength. I want to know the answers to questions. 

Your Third Character Strength

Fairness
Treating all people fairly is one of your abiding principles. You do not let your personal feelings bias your decisions about other people. You give everyone a chance.

My thoughts: Also accurate, I try to leave judgment at the door when making decisions. I don’t care about lifestyle, clothing, religion, or anything else. It is humanity that counts. 

Your Fourth Character Strength

Gratitude
You are aware of the good things that happen to you, and you never take them for granted. Your friends and family members know that you are a grateful person because you always take the time to express your thanks.

My thoughts: I am very grateful for everything. I have, within the last month, but my gratitude journal in writing, and it has helped me a lot. Being thankful for what you have is one of the keys to being happy, I think. 

Your Fifth Character Strength

Social intelligence
You are aware of the motives and feelings of other people. You know what to do to fit into different social situations, and you know what to do to put others at ease.

My thoughts: Yes, this is true; I can “get along with all different types of people. I enjoy the differences and put their comfort first over my own. 

Character Strength #6

Humor
You like to laugh and tease. Bringing smiles to other people is essential to you. You try to see the light side of all situations.

My thoughts: Also, a direct hit here. At one time, I think this would have been further up the list, but self-development and growth have moved past this, but I always have and always will like to laugh and make others happy. 

Character Strength #7

Zest
Regardless of what you do, you approach it with excitement and energy. You never do anything halfway or halfheartedly. For you, life is an adventure.

At one time, I don’t think this was the case, but I think it is moving further up the list. I try to enjoy everything I do. The experience is to be appreciated. Writing this is an experience I will never precisely experience again. Everything is an adventure.

Character Strength #8

Creativity
Thinking of new ways to do things is a crucial part of who you are. You are never content with doing something the conventional way if a better way is possible.

My thoughts: Moving up the list fast. Earlier in life, I never appreciated the power of creativity. It allows you to reach your soul or authentic self and is enjoyable in every way. Be creative in whatever form you feel moved to create. 

Character Strength #9

Honesty
You are an honest person, not only by speaking the truth but by living your life genuinely and authentically. You are down to earth, and without pretense, you are a “real” person.

My thought: I think this should be number one since I believe in honesty so much.  What you give is what you get. 

Character Strength #10

Judgment
Thinking things through and examining them from all sides are important aspects of who you are. You do not jump to conclusions, and you rely only on substantial evidence to make your decisions. You can change your mind.

My thought: Despite what some friends might think, I agree with this because I will change my mind when faced with facts or evidence to the contrary of what I believe. I do not abandon my perspective quickly. Thinking things through is a great definition. 

Character Strength #11

Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence
You notice and appreciate beauty, excellence, and skilled performance in all domains of life, from nature to art to mathematics to science to everyday experience.

My thought: Yes, I do. I see the magic in each talent and interest. Even if I am not all that interested in the subject of someone’s creation, I respect the work. I love blogs, which talk about things I am not interested in, but the beauty of the presentation makes me curious. 

Character Strength #12

Love of learning
You love learning new things, whether in a class or on your own. You have always loved school, reading, and museums-anywhere, and everywhere there is an opportunity to learn.

I have written about my love of learning and the fact that it is a lifelong process. I don’t think I was an excellent learner until two years ago because I became interested in learning.  Learning is cool!

Character Strength #13

Spirituality
You have strong and coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of the universe. You know where you fit in the larger scheme. Your beliefs shape your actions and are a source of comfort to you.

My thoughts: More and more every day, I think that my connection with God has never been stronger, and I believe there is some understanding on my part. 

Character Strength #14

Perspective
Although you may not think of yourself as wise, your friends hold this view of you. They value your perspective on matters and turn to you for advice. You have a way of looking at the world that makes sense to others and yourself.

My thoughts: I think this is true, but only other people can say for sure, I guess. 

Character Strength #15

Love
You value close relations with others, in particular, those in which sharing and caring are reciprocated. The people to whom you feel most close are the same people who feel most close to you.

My thoughts: I think that this is true for everyone.

Character Strength #16

Hope
You expect the best in the future, and you work to achieve it. You believe that the end is something that you can control.

My thought: I do, to some degree, believe this, but I am more resigned to the fact that we are at best only partially in control of what is coming our way in life. 

Character Strength #17

Prudence
You are a careful person, and your choices are consistently prudent. You do not say or do things that you might later regret.

My Thoughts: I can see why this is further down the list.  Like all people, I say some things I later regret. 

Character Strength #18

Kindness
You are kind and generous to others, and you are never too busy to do a favor. You enjoy doing good deeds for others, even if you do not know them well.

My thoughts: Who doesn’t?

Character Strength #19

Teamwork
You excel as a member of a group. You are a loyal and dedicated teammate, you always do your share, and you work hard for the success of your group.

My thought: I thought that this would be further up on the list, but who am I to argue. Even though I love the team atmosphere, I enjoy doing my own thing as well. I should apologize to all of those teams  I was on. I should have given a better effort. 🙂

Character Strength #20

Leadership
You excel at the tasks of leadership: encouraging a group to get things done and preserving harmony within the group by making everyone feel included. You do a suitable job organizing activities and seeing that they happen.

I also thought this would be closer to the top, but perhaps at one time, it would have. I believe everyone should feel included and has value in the accomplishment of tasks.

Character Strength #21

Self-Regulation
You self-consciously regulate what you feel and what you do. You are a disciplined person. You are in control of your appetites and your emotions, not vice versa.

My thoughts: Sometimes, yes, this has to be monitored by me. I need to practice discipline.

Character Strength #22

Perseverance
You work hard to finish what you start. No matter the project, you “get it out the door” in a timely fashion. You do not get distracted when you work, and you take satisfaction in completing tasks.

My thoughts: I am still writing this. Even at #22, so that is some perseverance right there.  I do stick to things and get them done. 

Character Strength #23

Bravery
You are a courageous person who does not shrink from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain. You speak up for what is right, even if there is opposition. You act on your convictions.

My thoughts: Perhaps this should go higher on the list. I think I have acted pretty bravely in my life. I am doing what is right, even when it was uncomfortable. But you can’t argue with the test. 

Character Strength #24

Humility
You do not seek the spotlight, preferring to let your accomplishments speak for themselves. You do not regard yourself as unique, and others recognize and value your modesty.

My Thoughts: What does it say about my humility if it is the last trait listed in this test. I think I must need to realign my priorities. Being humble is necessary. Perhaps something I need to work on.