9 August, 2010 - Virtue in Action in Sydney

9 August, 2010 - Virtue in Action in Sydney

After all the ugliness that has dominated the news over the past month, what with more vitriol-filled diatribes from Mel Gibson, sordid tales of sexual harrassment of a female employee by one of Australia's most successful CEO's, Mark McInnes, and the tragi comedy of Labor's election campaign, it was a breath of fresh air to read about the virtues of the human spirit in yesterday's City2Surf in Sydney.

For those readers who do not live in Australia, the annual City2Surf (City to Surf) is a running event held annually in Sydney covering a 14 kilometre (8.7 mi) course. It is the largest timed running race in the world with an aim to raise money for charity. Held on the second Sunday in August, and now in its 40th year, the race begins in Hyde Park in the heart of Sydney City and ends in Bondi Beach. Breaking all attendance records with over 85,000 runners, this year's race helped to generate more than AU$2.5 million for the City2Surf fundraising charity challenge.

For me, the City2Surf highlighted the ever widening gap between what makes us great and noble as human beings and the stories of shocking behaviour that have been hitting the headlines of late, exposing a current global crisis in good virtue.

Virtue, or what I describe as our "inner spiritual muscles", is recognised by all cultures and wisdom traditions as fundamental qualities necessary for human well-being. They are universal qualities which we are here in this world to develop and that are honoured by sentient beings the world over: respect, dignity, courage, cooperation, determination, joyfulness, excellence, fairness, kindness, self-awareness etc.

As Albert Einstein was fond of saying, " Only morality in action gives beauty and dignity to life."

As the final stretch of Sunday's City2Surf brought a glimpse of the ocean and peek of white sand, tens of thousands of euphoric runners celebrated the realisation of what the run was about: aspiration and inspiration, a celebration of unity, fitness and vitality, and a time to re-evaluate what's possible as a human being.

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Suzy Jacobs

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You write beautifully Victoria ... always a pleasure to read your newsletters

I don't have a story on virtue but your story reminded me that as a child I thought the City2Surf was from Sydney city to Surfers Paradise! Couldn't believe that so many people took part ...

Suzy Jacobs
Managing Director
The Athena Network
Australia and New Zealand
http://www.theathenanetwor k.com.au

Tuesday 10 August 2010, 07:59

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Victoria Ugarte

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Thank you, Suzy.

I watched the City2Surf for the first time when I was 16 years old. I had just migrated to Australia with my mother and brothers. The site of tens of thousands of people from all walks of life running as one, in harmony, peace and vitality, brought tears to my eyes. I was so moved. Although this event is something that most Australians take for granted, having come from the Philippines where the class differences are poles apart, I thought it was pretty amazing.

Australia, we must never lose this.

Tuesday 10 August 2010, 08:06

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