Dedicant’s Path Through the Wheel of the YearWeek 33: The Nine Virtues: Perseverance : Dedicant’s Path Through the Wheel of the YearWeek 33: The Nine Virtues: Perseverance Presented by
Rev. Jessie “Medb” Olson
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Based on Our Own Druidry and The ADF Dedicant Path Through the Wheel of the Year
Review : Review How are you doing with your books?
Are you:
Continuing to visit your nature spot?
Continuing to work on building mental discipline?
Continuing to use and work in your home shrine?
Related to Requirement : Related to Requirement #1 – Nine Virtues
Required Reading : Required Reading Our Own Druidry, p. 15 (Virtue, Piety and Study)
Our Own Druidry, 85-90 (Lore and Essays)
Optional Reading : Optional Reading A Virtuous Life Nine Virtues study guide: http://www.adf.org/members/training/dp/publications/dp-req-1-nine-virtues.pdf
"Sacred Work, Sacred Life" by Judith Anderson Morris (Ladytoad) http://www.adf.org/articles/identity/sacred-work-sacredlife.html
"Warrior Virtues" by Paul Maurice http://www.adf.org/members/guilds/warriors/ethicsvirtues.html
Oak Leaves issue #14, "Ethics of a Celtic Warrior" by Robert Barton
The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono http://home.infomaniak.ch/arboretum/Man_Tree.htm
Introduction : Introduction Perseverance is, of course, the third in the second triad we talked about in week 13
This is the triad that corresponds to the warrior class.
You might consider going back to read through Week 13's lesson to get a background if you have forgotten some of it.
Criteria : Criteria Written discussion of the Dedicant's understanding of each of the following nine virtues: wisdom, piety, perseverance, courage, integrity, perseverance, hospitality, moderation and fertility. The Dedicant may also include other virtues, if desired, and compare them to these nine. (125 words min. each)
Criteria : Criteria Inadequate
Word length inadequate
Plagiarism/excessive quoting (dictionary definition does not go toward word count)
Does not include all nine
Misunderstands meaning
Criteria : Criteria Adequate
Includes all nine
Subjective combined with objective approach (e.g., "This is what it means; this is what it means to me."
Word count OK
Criteria : Criteria Excellent
Includes nine or more
Critique of why some virtues included, others not ("why" in addition to "what")
Word count OK
Creative approach
Three functional analysis
Discussion : Discussion Our Own Druidry defines perseverance as follows: "Drive; the motivation to pursue goals even when that pursuit becomes difficult."
Read through that statement until you think you understand it.
In your Dedicant Notebook, answer the following questions:
Does that definition cover perseverance in your eyes?
Is it simply persistence, or is there more to it?
What does the definition mean by "drive" and "motivation"?
Do these terms sit well with you?
Discussion : Discussion What definition does the dictionary provide?
Write it down (it is strongly recommended that you include a dictionary definition in your final write-up).
Do any of those definitions make sense?
Can they encompass all that perseverance is?
Discussion : Discussion What is your own personal view of perseverance?
Can you come up with a definition of perseverance that makes good sense to you?
Discussion : Discussion Now, think about people you know whom you thin has "persevered".
Examine why you think of them that way:
is it something they know, something they do, or something they have said? Is it something beyond this?
Can you find words to describe it?
Discussion : Discussion Does perseverance go beyond simply completing tasks?
Does it involve decisiveness and the timely finishing of tasks?
What does the DP Handbook mean when it talks about "motivation"?
Is it talking about doing something specific, or merely getting things done?
Discussion : Discussion Think about myths and legends from different cultures.
How was perseverance shown in the myths and legends?
Was there a character in a myth that showed real perseverance?
How was that perseverance displayed (in the Odyssey, Odysseus sails for ten years before finally coming home and meeting the challenges there; how does this fit with your idea of perseverance)?
Discussion : Discussion Do you see yourself as persevering?
Persevering in some ways but not others, perhaps? Not persevering at all?
Does one need to persevere consistently to understand the concept of perseverance, or to wonder about perseverance?
Can anyone have perseverance?
Discussion : Discussion Think of a time when you have exemplified this virtue.
How did you feel?
Did you know that this was a virtue at the time?
Now think about a time when you failed to show this virtue.
How did that make you feel?
Did you feel as if you'd done something wrong or inadequate?
Discussion : Discussion Finally, is perseverance a Virtue?
Is it one that you agree should be on ADF's list?
Why was it chosen?
What is it about perseverance that either makes it a Virtue or keeps it from being one?
If you have decided that it is not a Virtue, would you suggest another term, removing it altogether, or replacing it with something else entirely?
Discussion : Discussion Now, go back through your answers to these questions and form a response of at least 125 words to "describe your understanding of the Virtue of perseverance."
And you have your sixth virtues essay out of the way!
Homework : Homework Don’t forget to:
Write your perseverance essay.
Continue reading your book
Continue visiting your nature spot.
Continue working on building mental discipline.
Continue using and working in your home shrine.