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At the age of twenty Benjamin Franklin wrote down twelve virtues to use as a guide for the life ahead of him. Leading the list was Temperance, followed by Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, and Chastity. Not long after completing the list he added another, Humility.
They are excellent Virtues to Live By and when I read about the life and times of Benjamin Franklin I believe he succeeded.
I wish I could say the same. I try, but it’s a juggling act. I can only keep so many balls in the air at a time. When I focus on one, another slips.
Industry and order go hand-in-hand. I like to be busy and productive, but when I reach the point of overload, order suffers. Too much industry and order, and my tranquility is shattered. I have a hard time maintaining an inner peace with fifty-million lists running through my head. Striking a balance is hard.
But the two I have the most trouble with are moderation and silence. There is little good that will come from holding a grudge, but its hard not to when you are continually trod upon by a boss or co-worker. And when a juicy tidbit of gossip about them comes along, it’s too easy to pass it along. We could call it justice, but its not.
Frugality is another issue. In today’s economic climate the need to be frugal has taken on new meaning. My husband and I are trying to reduce our debts and Live Within Our Means. Last January we sat down and set up a new budget with specific goals in mind. The day of reckoning is fast approaching. We didn’t meet our goals, but we’re a whole lot closer than we were a year ago. Surely that counts for something.
Am I living a virtuous life? I would like to say yes, but I fail more than I succeed. The key is to keep trying. Leading a virtuous life is a goal worth reaching for.
Have a good day,
Lizzy
I just finished writing and posting a book review for John Sandford’s latest book Rough Country on the Weekend Reader. It’s the third book in his Virgil Flower’s series. When compare it to Sandford’s Prey series all I can say is that they are the same, but different. While Lucas Davenport is a dour pragmatist in designer clothes, Virgil is a country boy with a laid-back personality and an awesome collection of rock and roll t-shirts. Lucas doesn’t think anything of pulling and using his weapon while Virgil would rather shoot his own foot than another human being.
The whole review for Rough Country is posted on The Weekend Reader.
Check it out.
Lizzy
I love Christmas. I love the sharing and the fun but sometimes I think it’s the two weeks off from school that excites me the most. I need the break, but rather than using the time to rest and recuperate, I make plans… Christmas is only one week away, but I’m going to redo my kitchen before company starts knocking on the door.
A few years ago I painted my kitchen a pretty rose color. I like the color but I reason I painted it pink was to make a statement. The boys were always teasing me about living in a male dominated household. Fashions change. Pink is currently a popular color in men’s shirts, but generally speaking pink is considered a female color. The Meaning of Colors evolve and change over time, but little girls and pink is a constant.
My kitchen may be a pretty rose but I’m tired of it. It may take three coats to cover it up but it will be a sunshine yellow before Christmas. Yellow is such a warm and inviting color…
Have a good day,
Lizzy
I’m behind on my Book Reviews. That seems to be a perpetual problem. I love reading and will read from three to five books a week, but once its read keep putting off writing the review. It doesn’t matter if it’s a book I really liked or not.
I would rather read than write.
Most of my book reviews are upbeat and positive. I don’t think I’ve written a negative review in years. Its not that I’m unwilling to…even through I don’t feel I have a right to dump on someone else’s work. I have the advantage over other reviewers. No one is telling me what book to read or review. If a book doesn’t capture my imagination within the first three pages, I don’t read it. I have too much to do to bother with reading a book I don’t like.
If you’re looking for a good book to read check out my reviews on The Weekend Reader. They are not “hot off the presses” but they are fairly new releases. I can vouch for every last one of them.
I hope to get another Book Review published this weekend. I read Rough Country by John Sandford almost a month ago. It’s a great book and every night I swear I’m going to write the review… I’ll get it done…eventually.
Have a good day,
Lizzy
Stress is a fairly common term and we throw it around a lot, but do we really know what it means? We know what causes it and we usually know how to alleviate it, but few really understand it.
I feel the effects of stress every day. A little stress gets me moving but too much of it and I’ll crash and burn. I have a whole list of Stress Busters. I routinely crawl in the bathtub with some Soothing Bath Salts. I listen to music and I’m addicted to Lists. But the one thing that I found that helps more than all the rest combined is to just say NO. Know your limits. Don’t be pressured into taking on more than you can handle. Too much stress robs us of the simple pleasures in life.
I’ll do my part. I am active in my community and church, and sit on several committees at school. But I know my limits. When stress is beating at my door, the best option for me, and the people around me, is to curl up with a Good Book and let the world pass me by. I’ll get back on the treadmill tomorrow.
Have a good day,
Lizzy
The internet is busy tonight. I’ve been trying to update my Squidoo lenses but every time I log on, I get bumped off. Understandable. The internet shopper only has a few more days to place orders and count on getting the stuff before Christmas. If your gifts are not ordered by Wednesday or Thursday of next week, either pay for overnight delivery or deal with the crowds at the mall. There’s nothing worse than having an important gift arrive on December 26th.
Most of my Christmas shopping is done. I placed an order for some Funky Socks this morning and I still need to order some more Soothing Bath Salts, but then I’m DONE! Once the last gift is wrapped I can focus on cleaning the house, making Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls, and planning the best Christmas dinner ever.
Have a good one,
Lizzy
Christmas is right around the corner and gift giving is a big part of our Christmas traditions. When I was little, all I could think about from Thanksgiving to Christmas, was what was going to be under the Christmas tree. Today I’m still consumed with what’s under the tree, but rather than the ones addressed to me, I care more about the ones from me.
I put a lot of thought into my gift choices. Growing up poor I tend to stick with the practical. My kids didn’t appreciate that when they were younger, but they do now. If Mom gives them a pack of socks for Christmas they don’t have to go out and buy their own. In today’s harsh economic climate that’s more of a factor than ever.
While it’s good to give, it’s also important to be a gracious recipient. Don’t forget to say Thank You. It’s the thought that counts. So you already have 101 bud vases, you can always use another…
I would rather give than receive but I always put myself on my Christmas List. I buy myself a Christmas gift every year. It’s usually something I need or want, but consider an indulgence. Last year I bought a Cosco Step Stool for myself. It’s getting harder and harder to reach the upper shelves in my kitchen. (The boys are rarely here when I need them.) I love my little red step stool. The bottom step gives me the extra inches I need without the hassle of dragging over one of the kitchen chairs. It wasn’t expensive, but I still consider it one of the best investments I ever made.
I finally decided on what to get for myself this year. Last summer I came across some of the cutest giraffe socks. It got me started thinking about the variety of socks in my sock drawer. I don’t think there are more than one or two pairs of solid colored socks in the whole bunch. One thing led to another. I ended up building a lens called Make a Fashion Statement! Wear Polka Dot Socks. As a tribute to a lens that’s doing so well, I bought a pair of giraffe socks, wrapped them, and slipped them under the tree.
Buy yourself a gift this year. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a pair of giraffe socks or a bottle of Soothing Bath Salts. It’s the thought that counts.
Have a beautiful day,
Lizzy
