To have your priorities straight is key to an authentic existence, but i haven't worked out a method for that yet. In the meantime, having your virtues straight is the best option in ethics and personal growth, and here's how you can simply ( not easily ) do it:
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a) do a web search for lists of virtues and compile them all into one list, probably use a spreadsheet
b) alphabetize
c) remove any duplicates and obvious redundancies
d) look up several definitions for any you're not sure about before deciding
e) eliminate redundancies, items you don't believe are virtues, that you don't fully understand the value of, and that you just don't care about, be strict and be picky
f) look up definitions for the ones remaining, eliminate any which are unclear or that you're uncertain how they'd fit into your best life, be strict and be picky
•When you've got the list down to a manageable size, say 10-20 items, that's Your Virtues
g) combine the definitions of each virtue in a way that's most relevant and salient to you and keep them with the list
h) organise the list in order of your personal priorities
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Wake up at least an hour before dawn every day and spend the time just before sunrise contemplating your list of virtues.
Remember, this is all about the person you want to be, so it should be effortless while you maintain that perspective. It's a purely selfish act that incidentally benefits everyone around you.
While doing your contemplation, of whatever kind, consider organising them not just by priority but in relation to one another. One night be a prerequisite for another, or part of a larger ideal.
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Here's my ( unprioritized ) list:
contemplation
Dexterity
.diplomacy
.embodiment
.fastidiousness
grace
honor
integrity.
magnanimity
progression
rationality.
resilience.
Romance
.serenity
sincerity.
stewardship
tolerance
.will
—-
Capitalized means i have my own custom definition
. in front means it's something i'm currently cultivating
. after means it's a virtue i currently exhibit
—
Dexterity - three kinds; manual ( of the hands ), physical ( of the body ), and mental ( of the mind )
Romance - general outlook on life, a little accentuation of the positive, a lot of utopian idealism, a little aesthetics, and some relationship stuff too
Here's the relationship taxonomy, as i see it:
dexterity/resilience
embodiment
grace
-diplomacy
-serenity
--tolerance
---magnanimity
honor/integrity
-stewardship
-progression
--rationality
---fastidiousness
----contemplation
romance
sincerity
will
So, magnanimity is part of tolerance which is part of serenity which is part of grace.