what does it mean to have virtue? Virtue isn't a phase you grow of, or a fad that comes and goes. Some may argue that virtue is a restriction on how you live your life. However, what they don't understand is that virtue isn't a 20 foot tall fence with chains and padlocks keeping you in one position. Virtue isn't a monster, but rather a friend. A tangible object that grows in your heard and twines its branches into your mind. It's not there to make decisions for you, instead it serves as protection. It's the loving mother or father that wiser in your ear when no one is around. It's the alarm system that goes off when an intruder enters your house. However, at the end your actions are decided you. Who do you want to be? Do you want to be moral? Do you want to have integrity? Do you want to listen to that little voice inside your head? Do you want to be virtuous?

The dictionary defines virtue as "a conformity to the standard of right or morality." However, I pose the question, who is to decide what is morally right? Everyone has their own perception of the word and therefore go about achieving virtue in different ways. In reality, virtue is an opinion based upon your development of character. Whether it be for religion, self respect, a spouse, or you family, you choose for yourself what is right or wrong. In what way can someone conform to someone else's interpretation of the word? Isn't is wrong to expect someone to comply with what is wrong in their mind, or to be denied that which is right?

The modern definition of virtue is corrupt in itself. The old proverb "you can lead a horse to water, but can't force it to drink," reigns true in every aspect of  Webster's definition. By expecting people to conform to the rules and interpretations that are not their own, you are simply asking them to stop thinking. The misconception lies in the simple fact that virtue has become an opinion rather than a law or rule. We as a society are not raised on unanimous beliefs on right or wrong. The morally corrupt ideology that one can decide the premise of right and wrong for all, is the basis of many social conflicts in today's time of redefinition. We want to free people from the societal gender roles that they have been placed in. We are breaking out of this conformity and redefining virtue. Like everything in our society, we are demanding a change.

Virtue can be defined by the simple actions in our day to day life, or rather a large act of charity. Your decision to hold the door, wish someone a happy holiday, or to be a friend when they're in need, defines your own moral. However it is not just the decisions you make for others, but the decisions you make for yourself as well. For me, virtue is respecting myself enough to not drink, it's my belief that I don't need to "enhance" myself to enjoy my time. It's how I choose to live my life. No one can disprove my virtue, and I don't expect anyone to agree. Virtue can't be defined my one person but rather everyone. Virtue is composed of fragments, each one made from the eyes of everyone. It's not a conformity or a social standard, but a view, billions of outlooks on life. A billion perceptions, of what is right or wrong. Much can be said about a persons virtue but it cannot be definitively defined.

Despite the pressures of money, moral and conformity of modern society, everyone has virtues or lack thereof in which they choose to live their life. Everyone has the opportunity to choose who they are going to be and what decisions they make. I have always held a high standard for myself  because I want to be the best example for others. I want to lead others and inspire them. Being a virtuous person is no longer just a set of rules we were raised by. Today we are faced with tough decisions and made to choose how to act upon it. We all make our own virtue, however, with that choice we must also choose respect. It is when we don't maintain that respect, that we not only dismiss our virtue, but also crush relationships, and tamper with families and friendships. The only way to prevent societal chaos is to redefine the perimeters of virtue.