Workshop 8: Humility Part of Virtue Ethics In This Section Introduction From Virtue Ethics Compassion directed to oneself is humility. — Simone Weil Our culture offers mixed messages about the virtue of humility. While expressions of humility are socially acceptable, even encouraged, we are also expected to stand up for our rights and take credit for our contributions. The youth learn... Workshop-at-a-Glance From Virtue Ethics Activity Minutes Opening 10 Activity 1: Up Side, Down Side 10 Activity 2: Story — The Value of a Gift 10 Activity 3: Said and Done 30 Activity 4: Dilemmas 10 Activity 5: Practice 15 Faith in Action: Untouchables Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Real Life Challenges Alternate Activity 2: Gratitude... Spiritual Preparation From Virtue Ethics Read Handout 1, Gratitude for What We May Take for Granted. This is not an easy prayer. The author, a UU minister, calls us to a grateful response to experiences we would characterize as negative. The prayer does not ask us to be happy about life's pain. It acknowledges that our anger, tears, or... Opening From Virtue Ethics Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Group covenant (Workshop 1) Optional: Bicycle Rack newsprint sheet (Workshop 1) Optional: Alternate Activity 1, Real Life Challenges Preparation for Activity R... Activity 1: Up Side, Down Side From Virtue Ethics Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Post two sheets of newsprint, one headed "Humility - Up Side", the other headed "Humility - Down Side." Post a third sheet headed "Does Humility mean...?" and write these definitions: "lack of... Activity 2: Story - The Value of a Gift From Virtue Ethics Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, "The Value of a Gift" Preparation for Activity Read the story so you can present it effectively. Optional: Copy the story for all participants. Description of Activity Youth respond to a true story about humility. Tell or read the story. Activity 3: Said and Done From Virtue Ethics Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Humility Quotes and a basket Preparation for Activity Print the Leader Resource. Cut apart the quotations and put them in the basket. Decide how you will form teams.... Activity 4: Dilemmas From Virtue Ethics Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 2, Humility Dilemmas Preparation for Activity Print the Leader Resource for yourself and volunteer readers. Description of Activity Youth discuss scenarios involving ethical dilemmas. Seek a volunteer to read each of the two scenarios. Activity 5: Practice From Virtue Ethics Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Participants' journals, and writing instruments Participants' clipboards with anklets (Workshop 1, Activity 3, Practice) Beads, and waterproof markers and/or other decorations Extra clipboards and string/hemp, and sciss... Closing From Virtue Ethics Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Taking It Home Preparation for Activity Adapt the Taking It Home section and copy for all participants.... Leader Reflection and Planning From Virtue Ethics Reflect upon the workshop with your co-leader. Which activities did the group enjoy most? Were varied learning styles addressed? Are the group dynamics taking shape in a healthy way, or are there issues you should address? Did participants keep to the covenant?... Faith In Action: Untouchables From Virtue Ethics Materials for Activity Optional: Computer with Internet access and a digital projector or a large monitor Preparation for Activity Preview the Akshaya... Alternate Activity 1: Real Life Challenges From Virtue Ethics Materials for Activity "Bicycle Rack" newsprint sheet from Opening Description of Activity Youth discuss ethical challenges they have faced. If someone shared an experience in check-in or during any workshop activities that the group would like to explore further, do so now. This could be... Alternate Activity 2: Gratitude as a Spiritual Practice From Virtue Ethics Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Handout 1, Gratitude for What We May Take for Granted Optional: A computer with Internet access and a digital projector or a large monitor Optional: Participants' journals, or writing paper; pens/pencils Optional: Sooth... Alternate Activity 3: My Care and Feeding Booklet From Virtue Ethics Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity 8 1/2 x 11-inch writing paper and construction paper A stapler Pens/pencils/markers Optional: Additional decorating materials, such as stickers, glitter, etc Description of Activity Youth create a booklet on the care and feeding of humility.... Taking It Home From Virtue Ethics Compassion directed to oneself is humility. — Simone Weil IN TODAY'S WORKSHOP... we discussed the virtue of humility. We read quotations from holy texts and wise people on humility and turned those words into real life situations.... The Value of a Gift From Virtue Ethics What is the value of a gift given? Is it just the dollar amount on the price tag or are some gifts worth much more? Let me tell you about a gift that was not worth much monetarily, but which made a wealthy woman richer than she could have imagined.... Handout 1: Gratitude for What We May Take for Granted Annie Foerster From Virtue Ethics In For Praying Out Loud: Interfaith Prayers for Public Occasions (Boston: Skinner House, 2003), used with permission. SPIRIT OF ALL GIFTS AND GRACE We are not ungrateful—not all the time. We know that life is a precious gift. Though we would appear at times to squander it, remember the ways we do... Leader Resource 1: Humility Quotes From Virtue Ethics 1. from The Tao de Ching, Chapter 22, translated by J.H. MacDonald If you want to become whole, first let yourself become broken. If you want to become straight, first let yourself become twisted. If you want to become full, first let yourself become empty. If you want to become new, first let... Leader Resource 2: Humility Dilemmas From Virtue Ethics Dilemma 1 Your table in geography class is assigned to work together as a team to create a PowerPoint presentation on Cuba. Everyone at the table takes responsibility for the information in four slides. Everyone together decides on slide design and progression.... Find Out More From Virtue Ethics The Humanity Quest website promotes the exploration of 500 values, including humility. A search under any particular value will give you links to resources that may include quotations, art and other activities, e-lists and newsletters dealing with this value, art that expresses this value, and... PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Virtue Ethics NEXT: Introduction Download all of Virtue Ethics (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.