July 20, 2010

Virtues and Your Good Moral Being   Virtue is a quality that is valued as a foundation of good moral being.  It is doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong.  It's moral excellence.   Virtue has been recognized since the beginning of time.  The Greeks, Romans, different religions, authors, and yes, even our Founding Fathers had their virtues.   One such founder was Benjamin Franklin, co-drafter of the Declaration of Independence and the American Constitution. He was a strong advocate of constant learning, self-improvement, and of doing things that benefit others.   With these beliefs in mind, Franklin decided on 13 virtues that he desired to develop that would aid him in the process not only of doing good but of being good:   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.  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 extreme.  Forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. Cleanliness.  Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation. Tranquility.  Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or avoidable. Chastity.  Rarely use venery but for health and offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation. Humility.  Imitate Jesus and Socrates.   You might agree or disagree with some of Franklin's virtues.  Here's your chance to create your own list of virtues.  Then live by them.     "Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind.  To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue."             Buddha   "It is easy to perform a good action, but not easy to acquire a settled habit of performing such actions."             Aristotle   "The power of a man's virtue should not be measured by his special efforts, but by his ordinary doing."             Blaise Pascal   "Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice."             Thomas Paine     Once you have your list of virtues, use them to aid you in your process of doing good and being good.  Whether you are at work, home or school, with family or friends, take your virtues with you.  They can be your guiding lights to the life you want to live.   It is a week post vacation and I still find myself dragging my feet a bit.  Maybe it's the heat (95 degrees plus) or maybe it's just being lazy.  Mojo, where are you?  OK, it's time to get over it and put the pedal to the floor.  Starting now!   Have a fantastic week and live your virtues.   Stephanie     We grow by "word-of-email" so please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone whom you think might benefit from and enjoy it. Thanks so much! Contact Us: stephanie@7steps2abalancedlife.com