We Could Use a Few More Ben Franklins

I recently read some interesting information about Benjamin Franklin. I've always known he was one of history's most fascinating men, but what I read made me respect him even more.

Here's what I read:

"When Ben Franklin was a young man, he didn't practice much of the advice for which he later became famous. At the age of 20, he decided to change his irresponsible ways and made four resolutions to help guide him through life toward 'moral perfection'."

His four resolutions were as follows:

(1) Become more frugal so that he could pay money to the people he owed.

(2) Resolve to become more honest and truthful in every way he could.

(3) Be as industrious as possible at whatever task was at hand.

(4) Never speak ill of any person, not even if what he might say was true, and to speak of only the good things about the people he knew.

The article goes on to say that "Franklin believed strongly in self-improvement and worked tirelessly to better himself. From his four resolutions, Franklin developed 13 virtues to live and perfect during his lifetime. He worked on only one per week. At the end of each week, he would evaluate his progress and then move on to the next virtue. After working on the 13th virtue, he started over again with the first one."

Some people might say that Ben Franklin was too legalistic, but I see him as someone who lived his life in an upright way, trying his best to have unquestionable Christ-like character.

I wish more people were like Ben Franklin. We could use an injection of virtue in this world right now.

Blog Challenge #22: Father's Day

From my friend Lee, who was responsible for posting this week's blog challenge:

In honour of Father's Day and since mine has been on my mind of late: tell me, what is the greatest lesson you ever learned from your father?

Here's my list, because I can't narrow it down to just one thing. My dad is full of wisdom.

My daddy taught me:

to look out the window on long trips. He didn't want us to miss anything on the journey.

to be kind to people. He always makes friends no matter where he goes. He has the "you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar" mentality.

hard work pays off.

not to take things too seriously.



if you don't have something nice to say, say it sarcastically, or in a funny way, or just don't say it at all.

pay attention to the details.

to drive safely and not be in a hurry to be anywhere.

how a man should treat a woman.

to never stop learning.

to wave to strangers.

how to check the air pressure in my tires.

how to be silly.



I'm sure there are many, many more, but those are the top few.

I'm forever grateful that I have an awesome dad. He means so much to me, and I cherish him. He is a fabulous daddy, but he's an even better Poppy to my kids. I hope they realize how blessed they are to have him in their lives.

I know I do.

Blog Challenge: Nuggets

What are 5 nuggets of wisdom that have been imparted to you by people you've cherished? How do those nuggets show up in your daily life... or do they? Have the words of wisdom shaped you? Which nuggets have you passed on to people who cherish you?

Well, it turns out my mom actually had some wise things to say. How do I know this? Because, dadgummit, I find myself repeating them to my own kids on a daily basis. The words just fly out of my mouth before I can stop them.

(1) Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

My mom repeated this to me anytime I got down about things that didn't go the way I expected them to. She still recites this verse to me as an adult. I have quoted it to my own 8 year-old daughter a few times just this past year. Dontcha' hate it when you find out Mom was right?

(2) "She didn't make you feel that way. You allowed her to make you feel like that."

Classic mom, again. I have to repeat this one to myself a LOT. I have to reign in my emotions many, many times. I have a tendency to fall into pits of self pity. This mantra pulls me out of my pit quite frequently. Others' words only have as much power as we give them.

(3) "(S)he who laughs, lasts." Mary Pettibone Poole.

I love this quote. I have to remind myself to laugh when I get too serious or sad. Laughter truly is a medicine for me. It's as vital to my daily existence as water. I thirst for laughter. A hearty guffaw just makes me feel better.

And while I'm on the subject of Ms. Poole... I had to look up the quote above to make sure I had the author right. I found another great quote during my search. That Mary Pettibone Poole was a cool chick. MUST Google her to find out who she was!

Oh, the quote! "To repeat what others have said requires education; to challenge it requires brains." You go, girl.

(4) "Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you."

It's a Spanish proverb. Who knew the Spanish were so wise? I knew they made good rice, but this... this is better than Spanish rice!

I have a love/hate relationship with gossip. I hate being "out of the loop", but I hate being "in the know", too. I just don't get a good feeling when I hear gossip. I have been the victim of it, and I try to stay away from it. I have learned the hard way not to trust too many people with my secrets, and I never get too close to people with loose tongues.

(5) "You can't love an inanimate object."

Wisdom from Dad. My sister and I used to roll our eyes whenever we heard this one, but it has truth to it. While I guess it is true that you can love THINGS, they won't love you back. It's better to invest in loving people. Dad was right after all.