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Lisa Andrews's avatar

Clint, I have been enjoying your posts for years. This one is a great synthesis of the many ideas you have discussed. It truly speaks to the divine purpose ingrained in our souls. And, it is a wonderful exhortation to prioritize that which will fulfill that purpose through our work. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

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Clintavo's avatar

Thank you so much!

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lyw's avatar

I enjoyed this essay. It felt like a walk with you. I would also add that more things than ego oppose what the soul longs for and virtue can often be confused along one's path. Have to remain mindful, and look out for each other, i think.

On a side note, because I love word etymologies, virtue goes further back to Latin and can associated with 'manliness' and 'moral perfection'. Somewhere along its journey, it was also associated with 'virginity' especially one that is well-maintained by a woman. And from the movie 'the Green Book' according to Viggo's character, 'virtuoso' means 'you're pretty good.'

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Susan Thompson's avatar

Thank you, Clintavo. These words of virtue are so helpful and inspiring.

Susan

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Clintavo's avatar

I'm glad you like it!

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linda groene's avatar

I love this. It speaks to me, and Noah's art conveys it!

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Clintavo's avatar

Yes, Noah's art is awesome, isn't it?

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Laura Krusemark's avatar

Thank you for this beautiful writing and reflection Clint - I fully resonate and believe also that "beauty will save the world" and I love your connection of virtue as power. Again, wonderfully + poetically expressed :)!!!!

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Clintavo's avatar

Thank you for your comment.

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Neoliberal Feudalism's avatar

Nice post, Clint. My only pushback is that a focus on beauty or goodness may result in the suppression of one's dark, nasty unconscious, the negative parts of our personality that we are scared of and don't want to consciously acknowledge; the way to the "virtuoso", I think, is not focusing on beauty or goodness at the expense of the unconscious but through the integration of both via the Jungian individuation process in order to try to become *whole*. It is by trying to become whole that may provide one the freedom to express one's gifts creatively, which in turn is what we are meant to accomplish in this world in order to work to fulfill God and His will. And this requires the strength to acknowledge our darkness, to accept it and integrate it instead of turn away from it (where turning away would just make our lives harder and worse, as the unconscious will spill out uncontrollably in way in our lives, including psychosomatically). Just my take, anyway...

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Clintavo's avatar

Yes, we must integrate our shadow side for sure!

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Pat DeVane Burns's avatar

Amen! This writing is a definite SAVE & read daily! You put into words what rattles around in my heart and wish to convey in my art. I am a co-creator with the Infinite and am most successful when I get out of my own way and allow Him to flow through me.

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Clintavo's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing this. It inspires me to keep going.

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Linda Filgo's avatar

Your writings never fail to blow me away. You verbalize what my deepest feelings long to share with others. Thank you; keep it up.

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Clintavo's avatar

Thank you. You have blown me away with your kind words.

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