Definitions: (1) knowing where you are going; having a clear purpose; (2) guided, regulated, or managed <by oneself or by another>

Quote:
• God has prepared a path for everyone to follow. You just have to read the omens that he left for you. — Paulo Coelho de Souza (1947-) Brazilian lyricist & novelist, The Alchemist {1988}
• We must exercise ourselves in the things which bring happiness, since, if that be present, we have everything, and, if that be absent, all our actions are directed toward attaining it. — Epicurus (341–270 BC) Greek philosopher and sage

Definitions: (1) straight to the goal without deviating; (2) straightforward and to the point; frank; using exact and precise language; a straight shooter <an honest & clear communicator>

Proverb: You need not travel to the moon to get across the street.

Quotes:
• We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. — Dolly Rebecca Parton (1946-) American singer-songwriter
• The way we experience the world around us is a direct reflection of the world within us. — Gabrielle Bernstein (1979-) American author & motivational speaker
• The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor. — Vince Thomas Lombardi (1913-1970) American football coach

Definitions: (1) tactful and clever in dealing with people; (2) politic and adroit in conduct; (3) characterizes a person who represents a state, community, or region governed by its own people

Derivations: Latin from Greek, “to fold (paper) double”

Compatible Qualities: open-minded, perspicacious

Quotes:
• Diplomacy is more than saying or doing the right things at the right time, it is avoiding saying or doing the wrong things at any time. — Bo Bennett (1972-) American psychologist
• A diplomatic peace is not yet the real peace. It is an essential step in the peace process leading towards a real peace. — Yitzhak Rabin (1922–1995) Israeli general 5^th Prime Minister of Israel

Comment: The diplomat who sticks only to small talk gets no respect and gets nothing done. The diplomat who cares only for winning will not win. The diplomat who listens and is fair is valued.

Definitions: (1) application of steady effort to a purpose; constant exertion to accomplish what is undertaken; assiduous; industrious; (2) done with careful and dedicated resolve; painstaking attention to the task at hand

Synonyms: active, indefatigable, laborious, persevering, sedulous, unremitting, untiring

Quotes:
• Strive on with diligence. — Buddha’s last words (c. 563-483 BC) Nepalese holy man
     Note: “Diligence” in this quote is variously translated as earnestness, vigilance, awareness, heedfulness, etc.
• Our observation of nature must be diligent, our reflection profound, and our experiments exact. We rarely see these three means combined; and for this reason, creative geniuses are not common. — Denis Diderot (1713–1784) French philosopher & chief editor of the first encyclopedia
     Note: This advice applies to any worthy effort.

Symbol: wings

Definitions: (1) of high repute; worthy of honor; esteemed; noble; (2) loftiness of appearance or manner; stately; (3) calm self-possession and self-respect

Quotes:
• We are nothing if we walk alone; we are everything when we walk together in step with other dignified feet. — Rafael Sebastián Guillén Vicente (1957-) Mexican soldier
• Maturity is the ability to think, speak, and act your feelings within the bounds of dignity. The measure of your maturity is how spiritual you become during the midst of your frustrations. — Samuel Ullman (1840–1924) American businessman, poet, & humanitarian

Color: violet

Symbol: sun-shade (Chinese)

Fictional Figure: Hermione is an example of “dignity without pride, love without passion, and tenderness without weakness.” — William Shakespeare (1564-1616) The Winter’s Tale {1623}

Definitions: (1) mental cleverness; quick at inventing; (2) skillful and graceful in manual activity; adroit; (3) ready and expert in the use of the body or hands; neat-handed; legerdemain <skillful in the use of one’s hands>

Derivation: Latin, “fortunate,” “auspicious” 

Synonyms: apt, artful

Quote: You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left. — Theodor Seuss Geisel [aka: Dr. Seuss] (1904-1991) American children’s author

Symbol: a juggler

Definitions: (1) passionate service to a career or ideal; self-dedication <the artist’s devotion to her talent>; (2) very faithful to a religious belief; worshipful; (3) sincere; earnest; fervent; heartfelt

Synonyms: holy; reverent

Quote: The waving of a pine tree on the top of a mountain – a magic wand in Nature’s hand – every devout mountaineer knows its power. And also the marvelous beauty value of what the Scotch call a breckan in a still dell: what poetry this sings. — John Muir (1838-1914) Scottish-born American naturalist

Symbol: alstroemeria flowers

Definitions: (1) zealous or ardent in loyalty or affection; faithful; (2) dedicated with great seriousness <as to a cause>

Too Far: fanatical

Quotes:
• Values can never be static; reality signifies change, growth. The greater the quality of cosmic adaptation, the more of meaning any experience possesses. Values are not conceptual illusions; they are real, but always they depend on the fact of relationships. Values are always both actual and potential—not what was, but what is and is to be. (100:3.5) — The Urantia Book {1955}
• We invest or devote ourselves because the other to which we commit has, for us, an intrinsic excellence or worth and because it promises to confer values on us. We value that which seems of transcendent worth and in relation to which our lives have worth. — James William Fowler (1940-2015) Stages of Faith, The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning {1981}

Comment: One is not devoted unless and until all one’s doubts are removed. We use our powers of logic, intuition, organizing, belief, commitment, and finally faith before we allow ourselves to be enveloped in the fires of pure devotion.

Color: blue

Symbol: lily of the valley

Definition: (1) becoming gradually fuller, larger, or better; growing; evolving; (2) eductive <bring out something latent or potential>; (3) fully-fledged

Quotes:
• God, our Creator, has stored within our minds and personalities, great potential strength and ability. Prayer helps us tap and develop these powers. — Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (1931–2015) Indian aerospace scientist & statesman; 11^th President of India
• The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones. — John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946) English economist & philosopher
     Note: Mr. Keynes says escaping. It is more like up-stepping or evolving; especially when new facts, ideas, and/or ideals are discovered and successfully integrated with the previous.

Consideration: Potentials turn into actuals. As long as you are developing, you are becoming your ideals. It may not seem fast enough but steady progress is satisfactory. As your view of the grand reality becomes fuller and clearer you may feel you are shrinking, but only because your view of reality is getting bigger. When looking at the night sky you may feel like an insignificant speck in a vast universe of stars and galaxies; on the other hand, you are a significant spark that can take part in the grand adventure.

Symbol: hair [abundant and beautiful] {Spiritual Development}

Definitions: (1) resolute; unwavering; staunch; (2) having one’s mind made up; decided; resolved

Synonyms: dispositive <settled to the satisfaction of all parties>, firm, fixed, stable, steady, steely

Compatible Qualities: The Principles of Kwanzaa <first fruits> cooperative economics, creativity, faith, purposefulness, self-determination, teamwork with responsibility, and unity

Too Far: stubbornness, narrow-mindedness

Sayings:
• Keep a stiff upper lip.
• Ride out the hard times.
• Soldier on through thick and thin.

Idiom: Put your mind too it.

Quotes:
• We will find a way, and if there is no way, we will make one. — Hannibal Barca (247-183 bc) Carthaginian general
• We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort. — James Cleveland “Jesse” Owens (1913-1980) American Olympic gold medal winner

Comment: Once you recognize your desire is worthy, then pursue it with determination.