Yes, for each virtue engagement, you can add a note to give valuable context and perspectives to your selection.
To add a note to a virtue engagement, simply select the relevant cross button in the Virtue Builder and choose either “Practice”, “Appreciate”, or “Abstain”. As you make your selection, you have the option to add a note. Simply type in the comment section to provide context and insights into your choice.
Adding notes to your virtue engagements is a powerful tool for personal reflection and growth in your faith journey. This feature allows you to reflect on your actions, thoughts, and emotions and analyze why you chose to act in a certain way. The purpose of adding a note is to deepen your understanding of your virtue engagement and to cultivate your Christian character more effectively. By reflecting on your actions, thoughts, and emotions, you can gain a better understanding of what motivates you and what holds you back. This understanding can then be used to identify areas for improvement and to make positive changes in your behavior and thought patterns.
Here are some practical examples of how adding a note can be used. Let’s say you recorded a virtue engagement as a “Practice” of the virtue of Temperance. You could add a note to reflect on what motivated you to act in accordance with the virtue. You could write about the emotions you felt, the thoughts that went through your mind, or the particular situation that prompted you to practice that virtue. This reflection can help you understand what makes you successful in practicing the virtue and how you can replicate that success in the future. For example, you could write something like “Today at lunch, I was faced with a tempting dessert menu. I practiced Temperance by choosing a fruit salad instead of the chocolate cake I really wanted. I was able to resist the temptation because I reminded myself of the importance of moderation and the negative consequences of eating a portion of food with high calories and relatively little nutritional value”.
In another instance, say you recorded “Abstain” for the virtue of Wisdom. You could add a note to reflect on what held you back from acting in accordance with the virtue. You could write about the emotions you felt, the thoughts that went through your mind, or the particular situation that made it difficult for you to act wisely. This reflection can help you understand what makes it difficult for you to practice that virtue and what steps you can take to overcome those difficulties in the future. For example, you could write something like “In a difficult meeting this morning, I had the opportunity to practice Wisdom by speaking calmly and thoughtfully. Instead, I spoke impulsively and with anger because I was feeling overwhelmed and stressed. I regret not being able to put Wisdom into practice at this moment.”