The Temple

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

-Mahatma Gandhi

Technorati Tags: Gandhi, Forgiveness

The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people.

Technorati Tags: GK Chesterton, Quotes, Enemies

Well, that isn’t me…Ernest Hemingway would be proud.

Ben Franklin regularly followed a plan to develop his character. Based on Philippians 4, Ben used the chart below as a tool to improve himself.

Check out the site Flamebright for a brief explanation and DIY Planner for templates you can print out.

His “Plan” was made up of 13 virtues, each with short descriptions:

1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness and drink not to elevation.

2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.

3. Order: Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.

4. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.

5. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing.

6. Industry: Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.

7. Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

8. Justice: Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

9. Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.

11. 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.

12. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Technorati Tags: Ben Franklin, Virtue, Resolutions

A fresh start.  Take advantage of it.  New Years day brings at the very least the motivation to start new.  So a brief newsletter at a busy time to encourage you to:

Be grateful.  List the blessings and let the list overwhelm you. 

Be generous.  Take some of that money you spend on yourself and give it away to make someone’s day.

Be gracious.  Speak more kindly to those around you. 

Be gentle.  Forsake a violent or distant approach, and reach out and touch someone lovingly.

Be genial.  It means to promote life and growth, creating an environment that is pleasantly warm, mild, and healthful.

Be a gentleman.  Courteous, polite with a strong sense of honor.

Be a germ.  Plant a seed.

Be a gift.  Surprise people with giving.

Be good.  Change some habits this year to make you a better person.

Be the gospel.  Share Jesus with someone or many ones this year.

Be godly. 

What will it take?  Make a plan, stick to the plan.  Be proactive, positive change just doesn’t happen.