Healing Journeys with Suzie Daggett
Do you know of teens interested in figuring out who they are or how to act in their world of junior high, high school, friendships, and family? I know I do, and I have found that a class on the Virtues Project, taught locally by Nancy Portillo and Brian Frank is supporting teens to create a pallet of excellent choices to guide them in their life. Nancy & Brian teach teens how to deal with friends who drain their energy so they feel tired, undone, unsupported, unhappy. This class teaches teens new ways to feel and think using virtues like: loyalty, responsibility, service, courage, honor, humility or self-discipline to name a few. The response from the class has been a definite thumbs up from teens who love to learn real ideals that are helping them cope with life. Here is a teen’s perspective: “After this class, I have discovered and unearthed so many of my virtues and also learned how to practice them. I know that these teachings will stay with me for the rest of my life as I will use them to create a happier, healthier life for myself. The environment of the class is so wonderful, filled with love, appreciation, and caring. It is more than just a class, it is a life-lesson and experience that helps you discover your true-self, and how to deal with emotions, people, and life.” Nancy and Brian answered the following questions:
How did you get interested in teaching life lessons via The Virtues Project to teens?
Nancy - I had a teen client who had become exhausted and physically ill because of the way in which she gave her time and energy away to everyone. I saw that she needed additional practical support in boundary setting and self care, so I created the first of the workshops for teens. Through communicating with the teens, I found that the need for this kind of workshop was staggering and desired by them.
What is The Virtues Project and how can it help teens as they navigate school and living their life in balance?
Virtues represent the best of who we are, the highest qualities of character, the essence of being human, the simple elements of spirituality honored by all cultures and traditions. The purpose of The Virtues Project is to help develop a culture of character where respect, patience, self-discipline, tolerance and joy for learning are among the virtues our children master. It is a way to….”build confidence and raise self esteem through greater awareness of our strengths and weakness through virtues, the building blocks of character. Applying the virtues helps to create a healthy balance between work, rest, reflection and play.”
What are some tools that you teach in the class?
Nancy & Brian - We begin with character exploration as we recognize certain virtues, or empowering qualities, that the teen already possess. We then bring awareness to these strengths and find ways to use those virtues out in the world. We discover the next life skill – the deeper meaning of the virtue and how it translates to the practical, emotional, mental and even spiritual context in a simple easy to use format. We learn to “speak the language of the virtues”. This means we acknowledge ourselves and others, with the objective to build authentic self esteem and ENCOURAGING virtues when you see them. For example, we practice being able to say. “I appreciate your courage to tell the truth”. We explore boundary setting with the purpose being that boundaries keep us safe by protecting what is most important to us, for example our emotions, well being and health. Teens are taught compassion and then detachment. The class helps the youth discern what their core values are, what they want to stand for and what boundaries are needed to support them with it.
What are some of the benefits of the work you are doing for the teens?
Brian – in a world where so much attention is focused on what is wrong, virtues focus on what is right; what is good; what is worthy and inherent in all human beings. Applying the virtues can change negative moods and emotions almost instantaneously. Virtues anchor in truths in practical living in a very elegant way. It gives a unique perspective to our own core values.
Nancy- The greatest benefit I have received from working with the Virtues Project and especially with the teens is the joyful fulfillment of witnessing the new found awareness of their own inner beauty and strengths, and their ability to see this in each other. Also, the inspiration I receive when I hear them share how they have been purposefully developing a less strong virtue into a strength and consciously choosing to use their virtues in their daily life.
When we put our attention and awareness on these qualities of our soul, it gives our lives meaning and purpose, it draws on the strengths of who we are, resulting in greater happiness, peacefulness and confidence.
Nancy Portillo is a Rainbow Reiki Master and Virtues Project Master Facilitator, she can be reached at 530-263-5650. Brian Frank is a energy healer and can be reached at 530-913-6553. Classes for teens or adults are by demand and on-going.
Healing Journeys is a column written by Suzie Daggett for the Grass Valley Union newspaper. Suzie interviews a variety of health practitioners most Fridays in the Wellness section. Click here to read past articles. Enter "Suzie Daggett" in the search box to get listing of all articles. |
