So guys…
I’ve started a weird little side project. And it involves Benjamin Franklin.
I know, I know. I usually gravitate towards rappers and music industry moguls but I am telling you, Ben was the BO$$ MAN of his day! He was a prolific inventor, author, scholar, involved in politics, respected by his peers, and (ahem) pretty successful with the ladies. I have a feeling Ben and Jay-Z would have been the best of friends, poppin’ bottles back at the crib.
But I digress…
Back to my project!
In his autobiography, Ben makes a list of Thirteen Virtues that he values most.
1. Temperance.
2. Silence.
3. Order.
4. Resolution.
5. Frugality.
6. Industry.
7. Sincerity.
8. Justice.
9. Moderation.
10. Cleanliness.
11. Tranquility.
12. Chastity.
13. Humility.
(You can read more about each virtue at a neat website called ThirteenVirtues.com.)
History reveals that Ben would try to “practice” one virtue per week, recording his efforts in his diary and then continually trying to do a little bit better. I love this. I’ve decided to try the same thing except I’m doing one virtue per month (I am not as goody-goody as ole Ben. Plus, it takes 30 days for a habit to stick.)
I just wrapped up Month One: Temperance.
Here’s what happened:
Ben explains Temperance as this: “Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.” I admit – I have an appetite for destruction. Put simply: I love to eat all that is bad and I enjoy my wine… probably more than I should.
Last month, I cut back on those naughty habits (not easy!). I plan on reducing it further (there is a goal weight in mind and I’m not there…yet). Self-discipline, yo.
I’ve also applied Temperance (restraint + moderation) to my mindset. I’m a sensitive gal and when anything cruel shows up in my world, I take it to heart. I had a few testy situations last month where the old me might have reacted with a bit more shall we say…intensity. But, I held my tongue, took a few breathes, remained ever-so-polite and worked hard to keep my Zen. Crisis averted and hurt feelings begone!
What I learned:
To think before I drink or raise a stink.
How I intend to carry this virtue forward into the rest of my life:
I plan on continuing to practice mindful eating + drinking. I’m also increasing my Loving-Kindness meditation efforts and sending that chill, loving energy outward any time I’m feeling salty (extremes are for drama queens!).
Temperance & Tarot – your affirmation for the month:
The best way is the middle way.
How about you?
Is it time to introduce more Temperance into your life?
What would that look like? Where will you begin?
If you’d like to join me as I continue my journey through Ben Franklin’s Thirteen Virtues, feel free! This month (October) I am tackling Silence. So… no more blog posts until November. JUST KIDDING. I won’t be THAT silent. I’ll swing back next month and let you know how it goes.
I hoped you enjoyed this backstage peek into my latest side project.
I’ll leave you with this gem from our man B-Franklin:
“Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.”
Word to that! Whether it’s tidying your house, writing a new blog post, doing something kind for your partner or spouse, or improving your character as a human being, there’s no need to procrastinate. There’s always something—one little step—that you can do today. Make Ben proud. Why wait?
Other stuff:
Wisdom from my smarty pants friend, Susan Hyatt: What’s up with your money, girl?
What might happen if you said yes to every creepy guy who tried to chat you up? This gal found out.
Thought provoking: The case against Pinktober.
Favorite post of the week – this is vulnerable soul-baring truth from Shenee Howard.
Mary Greer found Tarot on TV with this episode of Lawman.
Donald Trump’s many faces. Hilarious!
Illiana Burk at Makeness is brilliant. Loving her post for the broke and hopeless who feel like they can’t afford the business they are made for.
And then this goodness from The Uncaged Life: is your business coach full of shit? READ IT. This needed to be said.
Oh Annika Martins, how I love your insights: You ARE the universe. An appeal for self-reverence.
Hilary Parry has a mighty fun Instagram tarot challenge you might want to check out.
Loving Jamie Ridler…and she’s loving me right back.
This week, I cover Judgement for Little Fox Tarot’s Tarot Mixtape.
The customer is not always right: stupid restaurant customer stories. The chicken pot pie one is my favorite.
Bookmark this: my new favorite tarot site: Breathing Fashion. Fashion + tarot. YES.
What happens when the original cast from The Warriors returns to Coney Island? This.
My girl Courtney Weber makes an appearance at the 15th annual Pagan Pride gathering in New York: Bow Down, Witches.
I loved getting this peek inside Esmé Wang’s home. I want to sit in that book nook!
They had me at Mancave: making plans to head to Portland next year to visit HunnyMilk.
What happens when you photoshop away your most hated features? You want them back.
I read everything Paul Jarvis writes. You should too. Start here: I am my own worst enemy.
I so love her other books and just added this to my wish list: Anodea Judith’s Chakra Yoga
Counting down the days until this new offering from Rolf Gates is released: Meditations on Intention and Being: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga, Mindfulness, and Compassion (An Anchor Books Original)
Lana Del Rey’s new album has been on constant rotation here: Honeymoon [Explicit]
I promised myself I wouldn’t buy any more boots…and then I saw these: Sam Edelman Women’s Josephine Slouch Boot
The latest wisdom from Pema Chodron: Fail, Fail Again, Fail Better: Wise Advice for Leaning into the Unknown
What I’m Grateful For:
My daughter will be home soon!
Sweater weather
Crisp skies
Tolerance
Cooking from scratch
Seeing my friends prosper
Good snail mail
Soundtrack for 10/3/15: It’s All About The Benjamins by Puff Daddy ft. The Notorious B.I.G, The LOX, and Lil Kim
Blessings!
Theresa
© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2015
images from stock photography, personal collection, and flickr commons
I’m Theresa Reed (aka, The Tarot Lady). I’ve been a full-time tarot reader for 30+ years — which, in my industry, makes me pretty badass.
I’m definitely not your average Tarot expert — I drop the F-bomb, I quote rappers, and I’m obsessed with pop culture + reality TV. Folks come to me for straight-talk + tough-love — without the woo-woo fluff. 
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