Virtue

No matter what you faith tradition might be, virtue is always a fundamental area of cultivation. They are cultivated as an antidote for our misguided intentions and actions. What the specific virtues for cultivation might be vary from faith to faith, but at their core the virtues serve as an impetus for a moral and ethical life free from the suffering caused by anger, greed, and delusion. How does one practice all the virtues together?  Buddhaghosa, in his 'The Path of Purification" (Visuddhimagga) provides a simple, direct way to do this.  He tells us, in essence, that regardless of what we confront, whether it be praise or blame, if we can remain unshaken, rooted firmly in what we know is right, then we become virtuous---our lives come from a place of purity; a purity of intent and action.  He says:
Just as a solid massive rock
Remains unshaken by the wind
So too, in the face of blame and praise
The wise remain unmovable

Today, as we work on gratitude, let us sit solidly with it and have our intentions and actions emanate from our rock solid base of generosity, compassion and loving-kindness.