Definitions: (1) ready to move; celeritous; prompt; speedy; (2) able to shift from idea to idea rapidly; quick-witted; (3) able to do what must be done without delay; efficient

Compatible Qualities: farsighted, focused, steady

Consideration: I was taught that the way of progress was neither swift nor easy. — Marie Salomea Skłodowska–Curie (1867-1934) Polish-French physicist

Quotes:
• Let everyone be swift to hear; slow to speak; slow to wrath. — The Bible, James 1:19
• I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. — The Bible, Ecclesiastes 9:11

Symbols: 1) the horse; 2) lightning (American Indian)

Fictional Figure: Camilla was the queen of the Volscians. She could run over standing grain without causing it to bend. — Publius Vergilius Maro [Virgil] (70-19 BC) The Aeneid {19 BC}

Definitions: (1) possessing beauty of form <arising from balanced proportions>; (2) showing similarity of arrangement on either side of a dividing line or plane; having correspondence of opposite parts in size, shape, and position; (3) able to comprehend the nature of reality <symmetrical thinking (beyond logic and reasoning onto elliptical symmetry – the recognition of the curvature of all relation concepts)>

Quotes:
• There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion. — Francis Bacon (1561-1626) English philosopher & statesman
• When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe. — John Muir (1838-1914) Scottish-born American naturalist

Observation: The perfect proportion is known as the Golden Section: the square root of 5 plus 1 divided by 2. This ratio is 1 to 1.618. A is to B as B is to A & B. This is the ratio of most of nature’s most beautiful things: the human body, DNA, the spiral nautilus, et cetera.

Comment: Symmetry is beautiful in physical manifestation. Symmetry of the soul is not only seen; it is also felt.

Symbol: Gemini (Zodiac)

Definitions: (1) something or someone pleasing or gratifying to the mind <sweet words of affection>; (2) mild, gentle, meek, or kind; soft or delicate; pure and clean; (3) obliging civility; courteous; amiable manners or behavior; gracious; an affable disposition; good-humored; reasonable; (4) pleasant to the sense of taste; harmonious to the ear; attractive to the eye; aromatic to the sense of smell; comfortable, soft, or cozy to the tactile sense; (5) indicative of a beloved friend, child, or lover
    See also: Suave

Idiom: Sweetness and Light [The harmonious association of Beauty and Intelligence]

Quote: If there were no night, we would not appreciate the day, nor could we see the stars and the vastness of the heavens. We must partake of the bitter with the sweet. There is a divine purpose in the adversities we encounter every day. They prepare, they purge, they purify, and thus they bless. — James Esdras Faust (1920–2007) American religious leader (LDS) & lawyer

Symbols: 1) honey; 2) sugar; 3) nectar; 4) daphne flowers

Definitions: (1) a loved one; a darling; a dear heart; (2) a generous, friendly person; anyone arousing loyal affection

Quotes:
• Find the sweetness in your own heart, then you may find the sweetness in every heart. — Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rumi (1207–1273) Persian Sufi poet
• In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. — Khalil Gibran (1883-1931) Lebanese-American writer & poet

Definitions: (1) graceful with good proportions; lithe; possessing clean lines; sleek; (2) showing a high degree of refinement and assurance <coming from wide social experience>

Derivation: Italian, “quick”

Quote: The freedom of thought is a sacred right of every individual, and diversity will continue to increase with the progress, refinement, and differentiation of the human intellect. — Felix Adler (1851–1933) German-American ethics professor

Comment: This word usually refers to the female figure, therefore if she is also refined, assured, and experienced in social situations (definition #2) she should be appreciated and admired for her inner and outer qualities.

Definitions: (1) remaining alive or in existence; (2) continuing to function or manage in spite of some adverse circumstance or hardship; holding up; enduring

Quotes:
• Existence on a mountain is simple. Seldom in life does it come any simpler: survival, plus the striving toward a summit. The goal is solidly, three-dimensionally there – you can see it, touch it, stand on it – the way to reach it is well defined, the energy of all is directed towards its achievement. It is this simplicity that strips the veneer off civilization and makes that which is meaningful easier to come by – the pleasure of deep companionship, moments of uninhibited humor, the tasting of hardship, sorrow, beauty, joy. — Thomas F. Hornbein (1930-2023) Everest, The West Ridge {1966}
• In so far as [the] soul becomes permeated by truth, beauty, and goodness as the value-realization of God-consciousness, such a resultant being becomes indestructible. If there is no survival of eternal values in the evolving soul of man, then mortal existence is without meaning, and life itself is a tragic illusion. But it is forever true: What you begin in time you will assuredly finish in eternity – if it is worth finishing. (111:3.7) — The Urantia Book {1955}
• Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries, without them humanity cannot survive. — Tenzin Gyatso [aka: Gyalwa Rinpoche] {14th Dalai Lama} (1935-) Buddhist teacher

Consideration: Become positive qualities and you will survive death. First give your chosen qualities meaning: definition, scope, and range. Do this with intention, study, use, and sharing them with others.

Comment: The first impulse of a being is to survive; usually thought of as physical survival. This is important, of course, for a while. Except we have an abundance of evidence that physical survival does end. This is why we turn to the hope that there is a form of survival beyond the grave. Unless you were with Jesus when he lived and died, and saw him on Easter Sunday, you have no personal proof of life after death, nonetheless faith can see through the veil.

Definitions: (1) upholding, supportive, maintaining, or enduring; (2) providing for; encouraging; confirming; (3) keeping up one’s spirits <especially in the face of difficulty or hard times>

Quotes:
• I must uphold my ideals, for perhaps the time will come when I shall be able to carry them out. — Anne Frank (1929-1945) The Diary of Anne Frank {1947}
• There are two ‘faiths’ which can uphold humans: faith in God and faith in oneself. And these two faiths should exist side by side: the first belongs to one’s inner life, the second to one’s life in society. — Maria Montessori (1870-1952) Italian physician & educator
• When men carry the same ideals in their hearts, nothing can isolate them – neither prison walls nor the sod of cemeteries. For a single memory, a single spirit, a single idea, a single conscience, a single dignity will sustain them all. — Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz (1926–2016) Cuban revolutionary politician

Symbol: Strength (Tarot)

Definitions: (1) upholding another by aid or countenance <especially if in need>; (2) encouraging the spirits of another person; (3) helpful emotionally, financially, or morally; (2) characterizes one who keeps another from fainting, falling, failing, or declining

Synonyms: assisting,  bolstering, corroborative, forwarding, furthering, seconding, substantiative

Quotes:
• The problem with certainty is that sometimes it can sound cold and heartless, although it is the most compassionate and supportive answer. ― Yehuda Berg (1972-) Jewish-American author & teacher
• Choose to focus your time, energy and conversation around people who inspire you, support you and help you to grow you into your happiest, strongest, wisest self. — Karen Salmansohn (1980’s-) American behavioral change expert

Advice: Instead of getting mad at yourself or someone else for mistakes, you can get over the disappointment quickly by putting as much support into the situation as you can.

Symbols: 1) the staff; 2) the crutch; 3) the throne; 4) a pillar

Definitions: (1) always effective <a sure method>; (2) reliable or dependable; trustworthy; (3) without doubt, question, or dispute; absolutely true; (4) showing no hesitancy; positive; confident; certain; (5) never missing; unerringly steady

Quote: You are the sum total of everything you’ve ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot – it’s all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive. ― Maya Angelou [born Marguerite Annie Johnson] (1928-2014) American poet

(SURE-HANDED)
Definitions: (1) displaying dexterity with confidence and proficiency; (2) good with money or with any important matter <A mother has to be sure-handed in many areas.>

People Who Exemplify This Quality: 1) jugglers; 2) magicians

Quotes:
• Build a bridge by extending your hand. — Ken Poirot (~1970’s) American author, entrepreneur, & public speaker
• As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others. — Audrey Kathleen Hepburn (1929-1993) British actress

(SURE-FOOTED)
Definition: proceeding carefully; not likely to fail or fall

Experience: On a lone hike along the Colorado river, I was taking dangerous chances here and there. Telling the story at camp to my companions about a particularly risky move, I quipped, “and my foot landed good.”

People Who Exemplify This Quality: The Flying Wallendas (1905-) Tightrope and daredevil stunt performers who execute high-wire acts without a safety net.

Quote: Class never runs scared. It is sure-footed and confident. It can handle anything that comes along. — Ruth Crowley [aka: Ann Landers] (1918-2002) American advice columnist

Question: When was it you first set foot on the road to Paradise?

Symbol: the ram

Definitions: (1) of the highest quality; splendid; extremely fine; excellent; very competent; (2) grand; magnificent; stately; noble; august; (3) rich; elegant; luxurious

Quote:
• No matter where your lot may be cast, no power on earth can keep you from making a man of yourself, a superb character, a masterpiece. ― Orison Swett Marden (1848–1924) American inspirational author
• Learning to accept failure on multiple levels is the key to become a world-class therapist. But that means humility, and setting your ego aside, while you develop superb new technical skills. — David D. Burns (1942-) American psychiatrist & professor