Practice makes perfect...

Moral virtues we acquire through practice; like the arts.

Aristotle

Benjamin Franklin was a true polymath!  His wide variety of talents and skills combined with natural leadership abilities propelled him to the forefront during the birth of our nation, and beyond. Not only was he one of our nation's Founding Fathers, he was a prolific author, inventor, postmaster, musician, scientist, civic activist, political theorist, politician, statesman, and diplomat.  


His theories and discoveries regarding electricity had a major impact on the world of science during the American Enlightenment age and some of his inventions revolutionized the very existence of the citizens living in our young nation!


Franklin was the inventor of many things. Some of his inventions included the lightning rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove, and the carriage odometer. He also formed both the first public lending library in America and first fire department in Pennsylvania!  


As wise, and diversely talented as he was, Benjamin Franklin knew that there were things in life, such as moral virtues that must be practiced diligently.  He knew that learning the definition of a virtue would in no way prepare him to have that quality in his life.


He wrote down, and defined,  13 virtues he believed mankind should aspire to and acknowledged that he must read the list over and over and truly practice each virtue.  


His list of 13 virtues included: 

1. Temperance
2. Silence
3. Order
4. Resolution
5. Frugality
6. Industry
7. Sincerity
8. Justice
9. Moderation
10. Cleanliness
11. Tranquility
12. Chastity, and
13. Humility

Several years ago, I copied Franklin's list, along with his definitions of each virtue, and made it a point to spend some time each week focusing on one virtue and I started looking for ways that "virtue of the week" could apply to my life.  I've noticed on several occasions that as a particular virtue was my focus, I would have an opportunity to practice that character-strengthening quality in a way I might have missed had I not been really thinking about it during that phase of my life.


I challenge you to "Google" Franklin's 13 Virtues right now and read the definitions for yourself. You may want to add some of your own to Franklin's list of 13 and begin practicing those life qualities.  I can promise you will begin to notice changes very soon!


Blessings,


Sharon

If I only had a brain....

I not only use the brains I have, but all I can borrow.

Woodrow Wilson

In the classic movie The Wizard of Oz, Ray Bolger's character, Scarecrow, believes he must go in search of  a brain.  He travels with Dorothy,  Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion down the yellow brick road, facing perils and mortal danger to reach the Land of Oz to see if the great and powerful Wizard of Oz will give him the brain he so desires!


As the friends travel and face seemingly insurmountable obstacles, an interesting dynamic develops. Scarecrow, working with his friends begins to come up with some very good ideas!  Remember the scene where he uses reverse psychology to get the trees to "give up" their apples?


As Scarecrow is encouraged and sometimes challenged by his friends, his own mental aptitude seems to grow! He found himself surrounded by good people who were smart, truthful and didn't mind entering into a healthy debate to challenge him to think!


So, don't  surround yourself with people who are "yes-men" who will  mindlessly agree with your every statement and action.  Instead seek out people who will be honest and will inspire you to develop your own belief system to the point that you know who you are and what you believe. 


Go ahead!  Use your brain....and borrow some wisdom from those around you!


Blessings,


Sharon

Learn a new trick....

Everyone thinks of changing humanity and nobody thinks of changing himself.

Leo Tolstoy

It's so simple to see the need for changes in other people!


When an issue is unresolved, or things just aren't working out right, it's very easy to look at the other person and find the error in their ways.  We are usually quick to focus on how much better our relationship with that person would become if only that person would make the necessary changes.


An annoying co-worker, a tyrannical supervisor or even a family member can sometimes be the one person who just seems to be that one who gets on your very last nerve!  A conversation with them can be painful... like listening to fingernails on a chalkboard!


My challenge to you is to think very carefully about some of the exasperating conversations you've had with that individual, then spend a few minutes thinking of something you could have said differently.  It may be that you could have simply used different body language, or possibly diffused a bad conversation with a bit of pleasantry.


I learned something from a business leader in the direct sales field that has helped improve the nature of many dialogues I've had over the years. It's quite simple. All you have to remember is the acronym F.O.R.D.


It stands for Family, Occupation, Recreation and Dreams!


It only takes a few minutes to engage someone in speaking about their family, their occupation and their recreational hobbies.  In that few minutes you've let them know you are interested an what's going on in their  personal and professional life.  Knowing that you've shown an interest can soften the hardest heart and it usually causes them to smile!


(I haven't forgotten "Dreams".  It's just takes a little more time and focus to get someone to share about their dreams -- realized or unrealized.  Consider that the "next step" in your plan to make a change for the better to see if your new attitude can improve the situation!)


Blessings!


Sharon

Happy Easter!

The great gift of Easter is hope - 

Christian hope which makes us have that confidence in God, 

in His ultimate triumph, and in His goodness and love, which nothing can shake.

Basil Hume

Enough said. :-)


Seriously!  


There's so much I could write about Easter, but I think the fact that we have hope and God's unshakable goodness and love available is powerful enough to cover all that I know, think, and feel about Easter....and much more!


Wishing you a very blessed Easter Sunday!


Sharon

I'm investing in.....

I attract to my life whatever I give my attention, energy, and focus to, 

whether positive or negative.

Adam McGinness

Have you ever been around someone who seems to belittle the things you deem important?  Is there someone in your office or a group you have membership with, who seems to constantly  "talk down" your ideas or  belittle your dreams and future plans?


I copied the quote you just read at the top of this blog from the Facebook page of a friend the other day and I've thought of the wisdom it holds many times since discovering it there!


What do you give your attention to?  Do you expend the largest amount of energy to working toward solutions, or just talking about the problems?  Where is your focus?


I believe we actually do become like the things we think about....the things we focus on.  If you are facing relationships, personal or professional, that are negative, take time to seriously consider the impact they have on your mental and physical well-being.


Distance yourself from the negative if you can.  If you can't see a way to make a change at this time, at least spend a bit of time every morning before you even get out of bed, and every evening just before you drift off to sleep, thinking of the most positive, uplifting relationships in your life.  


Those things you think of just as your mind begins to rest, will help determine how you rest! And, it's always easier to face the negative if you've "filled the tank" with lots of positive first!


A lady I used to work would share with us periodically about her prayer time and how valuable it was to her to start and end each day in prayer.  She was a part-time seamstress so it seemed especially descriptive when she would say to us, "A day hemmed on both ends with prayer is less likely to unravel!"


My challenge to you is to make an attempt to eliminate the negative and spend your time and energy focusing on the positive things in your life!  


Let me know how that works for you!


Blessings,


Sharon