The Way and the Power of Virtue

  Don’t value rare objects and people won’t steal. What do we value?  Do the brand names we choose to wear make us feel better about ourselves or better than anyone around us?   Do we ever find ourselves saying, “once I get this or that, I’ll be happy or worthy or enough?”  or "once I have this, I will have arrived?"  Do we ever belittle ourselves or believe we are "less than" because we don't possess certain items?  The truth is, o ur self-worth is not determined by what we can or cannot afford to wear or possess. We are not objects to be constantly rated by shallow and subjective social stereotypes . We don’t need rare or valuable accessories to adorn, enhance, or prove ourselves worthy in this world.   When we (mis)judge ourselves and others in this way, we are robbing ourselves and others of our true worth.   We are, all of us, not just rare but unique and irreplaceable, and therefore of infinite worth and value, where we are, as we are. ...

  Don’t vaunt people as “worthy” one over another and they won’t compete with each other. This chapter has traditionally had a dual reading, one for leadership and governance of people and one for self-governance of our own hearts and minds.   These two readings are inextricably linked because we by example. The first half of this chapter deals with three principles addressing (self) promotion and competition, objectification and (self) valuation, and flaunting, displaying, or showing off and (inner) peace and contentment.   First, we live in a (mis)judgmental world, a roller coaster of relative reality, relationships, and constant comparisons .   Every day in so many ways we pass judgment on ourselves and others.   We pay more attention to certain people while ignoring others.   We put certain things and people on pedestals and deem them “worthy” of our attention and striving.   In striving to find where we fit in, we often fall into the trap of bel...