This morning I woke up with the epiphany that the purpose of community is to help people become virtuous, because we can not become virtuous by ourselves.

This realization led me to this article which I think is the best explanation of how to become a virtuous person with strength of character. I’ve been searching for universal values and now I realize that there is one value that for all people who are seeking to live a fulfilling, happy life. That value is this: to be virtuous.

This article explains better than anything I have found yet what it means to be a virtuous person with the by-products of having a good character. As we seek to become virtuous people, we will live in harmony as we search for the ways we want to best serve in order to contribute to the highest good of all of life on the plant.

The becoming individuals who are virtuous while simultaneously serving in ways that help us and all of life thrive is of utmost importance if our experiment in community living will be successful.

I am inviting people who align with the goal of becoming increasingly virtuous to apply for the work exchange program.

Here is the article that inspired me.

https://www0.sun.ac.za/flourish/ubvirtuous2/virtues.html

Here is an overview of the 6 virtues and the strengths needed to be developed in order to manifest these virtues:

Virtues:

Transcendence, wisdom/knowledge, temperance, courage, justice and humanity.

Here are the strengths:

Wisdom and Knowledge: Cognitive strengths

Perspective, creativity, curiosity, judgment and open mindedness, love of learning

Courage: Emotional strengths

Zest, bravery, honesty, perserverance

Humanity: Interpersonal strengths

Social intelligence, love (the capacity to love and be loved), kindness

Justice: Civic strengths

Leadership, teamwork, fairness

If we are aspiring to be virtuous, then living in community becomes a joy.

I believe that the reason that any of us fail at developing the virtues and strengths listed above include present and past societal conditioning, trauma from our upbringing, lack of mentors who are exemplifying these traits, and difficulty in finding environments where structures are in place which make it easier to expressing the virtues and strengths.

I want to create a work exchange program which also serves as a training ground for everyone, including me as the facilitator, where we can all help each other become virtuous people pursuing goals that help all of life to thrive. Healing past trauma will be part of the curriculum. Exploring what the blocks are to manifesting these virtues will be essential. Yet I do believe that if I design a healthy environment initially, and then keep making it better because of feedback from students (work exchangers) we will do those things that help us feel satisfied and happy with the way we act. Healthy actions now can heal the past.

This can not happen by being alone. The only way we can achieve this virtuous life that leads to true happiness is by living with others who are supporting us on that path. My path is following Jesus. You may have a different teacher or master, or you just want to be a good person. I feel very hopeful that by having the common goal of living a virtuous life and finding every way possible to serve in ways that help all of life thrive, we can flourish together and truly make a positive difference in this world. Eating a plant-based diet and helping others do the same is one of the big goals I have. What is your goal? I want to help you reach it.

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The videos below inspired me very much, and I found the article mentioned above after watching these videos. I highly recommend watching them if you have a desire to explore joining the work exchange program at the Fruitful Vegan Village project

I thought this video explaining Aristotle’s theory was very interesting. His theory has helped me to understand better Jesus teachings. Plus, since I don’t require people to have a certain spiritual path in order to be part of the community, this gives me something to share with people so that they know more clearly the kind of people I am looking to live with.

This video is amazing for the teacher explains Aristotle’s theory of how families need to be part of a village, or a community and how communities need to be part of a city.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKIfpj1H3EA&t=570s

I see an even bigger vision emerging. One that seems so beautiful and yet so impossible. What if we could start with a small family–nurturing each other, and then expand into a community. And what if our community could be such a model of health that others would want to emulate it. Then what if Living Springs, the neighborhood which Fruitful Vegan Village is part of, could be a village also. And other neighborhoods in Madison County, yearning to find solutions to all the problems we face in the world might want to emulate us and learn from us. Then we have a healthy county.

What if other counties could learn from our county, and then we have a healthy state.

Then other states learn from our example, and we have enough healthy states to have a healthy United States of America.

When Gandhi says “Be the change you want to see in the world” he is asking us to develop the virtues and character qualities that will truly bring peace and happiness. Jesus teaches us to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” Sounds like he is saying to seek to be righteous, which is becoming a virtuous person.

Is it possible that I have been blocked from creating of Fruitful Vegan Village so that I could realize these truths?

What do you think? If you want to learn more about the work exchange program/school of virtuous living, go here: https://fruitfulveganvillage.com/work-exchange/