Nigel Johnson

Photography by Alejo Mejia-Tejada

If you're reading this, guard your intangibles.

When it comes to material things, we go to many lengths to protect our most prized possessions. As I get older, I realize I should guard my intangibles similarly.

Intangibles are the things we possess that cannot be physically touched.

Those who know me know that this year, I've made it a point to focus on a specific virtue every week. Among my favorite virtues are honesty, sincerity, courage, and peace! Doing this, I realized that I would start with these virtues many mornings, but by the end of the day, I had let people and situations steal them. I realized I also had to learn how to guard these virtues.

This year, I read a book titled Protect Your Peace by Trent Shelton. The book discusses the importance of guarding your peace, and I encourage you to read it. If you constantly allow people to take your peace, you will be no good for anyone, let alone yourself. Your peace and strength go hand in hand. If you don't want anyone to take your strength, don't let them take your peace!

If I had superpowers and could give you the most perfect and wonderfully wrapped gift ever, it would be a box full of virtues like peace, joy, patience, and honesty. Unfortunately, I don't have superpowers, and I can't gift you these intangible things; they must be obtained on your own. Once you get them, guard them like you would your money—they are just as important!

Nigel Johnson

Program Coordinator at Clemson University

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