Old lessons

One of the most interesting books I have ever read just happens to be the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. To read any book written about such an influential historical figure would be eye opening, but to read a book written by the same person is just fascinating. A lot of what he wrote has stuck with me, but the most interesting part of the book was the section where he talks about all of the virtues he tried to posses, and more interestingly, was how he actually worked at possessing them. He took about 13 virtues, and gave them each a brief synopsis, such as the virtue of "Humility" with the synopsis of "Imitate Jesus and Socrates". He then went so far as to make a listing fore each week with all 13 of the virtues he wished to be master of, and would mark each offence of the day under the corresponding virtue in hopes that one day he would have no marks in any of them.
I decided to take similar stock on virtues that I would like to posses with both the definition of the virtue, and a brief synopsis. I also have put these into a journal and have been working all week to mark try and mark each offense in the corresponding columns.
Like Franklin, I also have been working on one specific virtue through out the week and leaving all other virtues to chance through out so that I may hope to leave no markings in that virtue before moving on to concentrate on the next.
This has proven to be a somewhat difficult task as I have been trying to mark all of my transgressions at the end of the day, instead of the moment that it has occurred. As my journal is discreet enough to stay within my purse, I think I may deviate from Franklin's nightly tally and work on marking things as they occur instead.
Reading this autobiography has also inspired in me a desire for educational reading, as I see that Franklin has spent a lot of time educating himself in such an amazing way.
I feel, that I read too much for pleasure's sake and need to re-evaluate my reading materials. I have come up with a plan, which I think may prove more useful to myself than my reading has before this. I do not want to take away all of my fictional reading, but to lessen it by taking time to read one educational book (be it a more historical, science, mathematical, political, or other more educational subject), along with more faith based reading (such as books on the saints, the Catholic faith, or other more spiritual reading). Only after having read these, will I allow myself the indulgence of fictional reading. Even then I am going to try to be a bit more selective of this reading to ensure I am introducing new (or new to me) books rather than reading Jane Austen for the 13th time. There are so many books out there, it is time I introduce different materials into my library.
With this, I hope to spend my time becoming a better person for God, a person that he can be proud of, and that my family can be happy to have.
I believe that nothing truly happens by accident. Even the smallest thing, like finding this autobiography, can make a big impact in your life just when you need it most. The Lord knows what you need, even when you don't. I also believe that certain people are placed in the world to help God in his plans for us, both in their time, and through out history.

If there is anyone else out there who is reading this, or any of my future posts, and is either struggling with their faith and needs someone to share their fears and doubts with, or anyone who just wants to share words of encouragement and faith so that everyone can hear, please don't hesitate to leave a note on this blog. This is not just for me, but for anyone who needs to know that they are truly not alone out there and someone else may be going through the same things that they are now, or have gone through the same things in the past.




Thank you all of listening and Gold Bless!