Understanding the Virtues as Superhabits, by Dr. Andrew Abela

Have you ever watched a child learn to walk? As I wrote this, our grandson Owen was in this phase. We watched him as he carefully, intently took each step, concentrating so hard that his tongue was sticking out between his teeth. He had the muscles and the balance, but he had to concentrate hard to take each step because he didn’t yet have the habit of walking. It wasn’t yet automatic (though it soon became so).

In similar fashion, adults struggle, not with walking, but with managing our feelings, thoughts, and actions. As a result, instead of doing such things fluidly and effectively, we, like little Owen, too often have to concentrate hard to take each step, whether to handle a strong emotion, make a difficult decision, or deal with a problematic colleague. …