Frat boy, Guiddo, the Kung Fu master and the Tea Party dude lists ways to be a better you. (New year's resolutions pick list.)

To be a good Christian, one needs to be a good human first. If you want to go deep and ask why, it is because grace builds on nature. 

The frat boy or the Greek lists 4 things to develop: 

• temperance: is defined as moderation or control over excess, so that it has many such classes, such as abstinence, chastity, modesty, humility, prudence, self-regulation, and forgiveness and mercy; each of these involves restraining some impulse, such as sexual desire, vanity, or anger.
• prudence: is the characteristic of exercising sound judgment in practical affairs (not rocket science).
• fortitude: Courage, bravery, fortitude, will, and intrepidity, is the ability to confront fear, pain, risk/danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. "Physical courage" is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, death, or threat of death, while "moral courage" is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, or discouragement.
• justice: renders to each and all what is due to them.

 Guiddo draws from his great Roman heritage and looks at 12 rules before one is made.

• Auctoritas — "Spiritual Authority" — The sense of one's social standing, built up through experience, Pietas, and Industria.
• Comitas — "Humour" — Ease of manner, courtesy, openness, and friendliness.
• Constantia — "Perseverance" — Military stamina, mental and physical endurance.
• Clementia — "Mercy" — Mildness and gentleness.
• Dignitas — "Dignity" — A sense of self-worth, personal pride.
• Disciplina — "Discipline" — Military oath under Roman protective law & citizenship.
• Firmitas — "Tenacity" — Strength of mind, the ability to stick to one's purpose.
• Frugalitas — "Frugality" — Economy and simplicity of style, without being miserly. (Don't have to be a 'bella figura'.)
• Gravitas — "Gravity" — A sense of the importance of the matter at hand, responsibility and earnestness.
• Honestas — "Respectability" — The image that one presents as a respectable member of society.
• Humanitas — "Humanity" — Refinement, civilization, learning, and being cultured.
• Industria — "Industriousness" — Hard work.
• Iustitia — "Justice" — Sense of moral worth to an action. (Huh? just look at the frat boy's definiton.)
• Pietas — "Dutifulness" — More than religious piety; a respect for the natural order socially, politically, and religiously. Includes the ideas of patriotism and devotion to others.
• Prudentia — "Prudence" — Foresight, wisdom, and personal discretion.
• Salubritas — "Wholesomeness" — Health and cleanliness.
• Severitas — "Sternness" — Gravity, self-control.
• Veritas — "Truthfulness" — Honesty in dealing with others.
• Virtus - "Manliness" - Valor, excellence, courage, character, and worth. Vir meaning "man".

The Kung Fu master follows the Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhists - in case you're fascinated with fortune cookies and the like.

• Right View - Realizing the Four Noble Truths (You don't want to know. It's all about suffering.)
• Right Intention - Commitment to mental and ethical growth in moderation.
• Right Speech - One speaks in a non hurtful, not exaggerated, truthful way.
• Right Action - Wholesome action, avoiding action that would do harm.
• Right Livelihood - One's job does not harm in any way oneself or others; directly or indirectly.
• Right Effort - One makes an effort to improve.
• Right Mindfulness - Mental ability to see things for what they are with clear consciousness.
• Right Concentration - Wholesome one-pointedness of mind.

If you want some down to earth practices of clean living, ask the Tea Party dude and he'll tell you what Benjamin Franklin used to develop what he called 'moral perfection'.

• Temperance: Eat not to Dullness. Drink not to Elevation.
• Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling Conversation.
• Order: Let all your Things have their Places. Let each Part of your Business have its Time.
• Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.
• Frugality: Make no Expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e. Waste nothing.
• Industry: Lose no Time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary Actions.
• Sincerity: Use no hurtful Deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
• Justice: Wrong none, by doing Injuries or omitting the Benefits that are your Duty.
• Moderation: Avoid Extremes. Forbear resenting Injuries so much as you think they deserve.
• Cleanliness: Tolerate no Uncleanness in Body, Clothes or Habitation.
• Tranquility: Be not disturbed at Trifles, or at Accidents common or unavoidable.
• Chastity: Rarely use Venery but for Health or Offspring; Never to Dullness, Weakness, or the Injury of your own or another's Peace or Reputation.
• Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

You may pick one for the 2011. If you want to go back to this post next year, just scroll at the bottom and click on keyword 'virtue'.  Or if you got them all and want to move to the supernatural level, type supernatural virtues in the search box.