By Caryl Loper
Master 13 Virtues, thirteen qualities of intrinsic self-worth, and you will be on the path to personal and business success.
Creating success first starts with the understanding that everything in life has meaning and purpose.
Why the Number 13?
There is a history and significance in numerology. The number 13 has combined attributes from the numbers 1 and 3. Number 1 energetically vibrates new beginnings, moving forward. While the number 3 displays enthusiasm, optimism, expansion and growth. Its symbolic meaning often equates with power, realization, completion and attainment.
What is the Origin of Master 13 Virtues?
Benjamin Franklin developed a plan to Master 13 Virtues. The origin of Benjamin Franklin’s teachings, ‘13 Virtues’ does not convey any denotation to numerology, but rather revolved around the calendar year. However, history preludes these simple teachings are in alignment with numerology and have symbolic meanings.
There is a strong correlation between the acts of living a virtuous life in our material world and manifesting a positive personal and business life. One extraordinary man’s teachings took ordinary virtues to create a guideline for an honorable life.
Benjamin Franklin developed a pragmatic system, a program that entailed embracing 13 virtues on a daily basis. He would institute this system for the remainder of his life. He observed that certain attributes and patterns were strongly etched within each of us, and the only measure for advancement was solely through the repetitive change in one’s behavior. Shift old habits into new ones.
Clearly by embracing these changes, there is an expansion of one’s character beneficial to personal growth, and improvement upon one’s life in personal and social advancement.
This verse speaks volumes of one’s character:
Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.
Author Unknown . . .
With each virtue or trait, Benjamin Franklin expanded upon its meaning. For example, one of his virtues, ‘sincerity,’ he added … “Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly”.
Although Benjamin Franklin had specific virtues, take the liberty to institute all, some, or create your own plan. I created my personal guidelines for mastering 13 traits. Some examples of my virtues – ‘Don’t Take Things Personally,’ and ‘Live the Platinum Rule.’
Benjamin Franklin’s system was based on selecting one personal or social quality that he would whole heartedly embrace for one complete week. In practicing my 13 virtues, I created a communion with other rituals. For example: post each virtue in visual locations as constant reminders (Post-It notes – leave it on your computer, refrigerator, mirror, etc.), and keep a journal of revelations, discoveries and challenges.
Once the week is completed start another trait until you have completed the full 13 virtues or traits. Subsequently create a repetition of the cycle, the 13 weeks, 4 times. This cycle is similar to the 4 seasons in the year until there is a completion of 52 weeks, a full year. The gift is building upon each level of consciousness. Keep one virtue in the foreground and the others in the background, almost a layering effect. Strive for self-improvement.
Each of us carry around hurts and pains that may foster self-defeating habits and patterns. Over time, they will sabotage our internal growth, overpower our true image, derail our momentum, and literally camouflage our true self. By exchanging our old habits with new ones, we shift from learned patterns to new experiences of awareness. Effective character traits realign us, and shift our negative, self-proclaimed perceptions into a place of wellness.
I Challenge You to Master Your 13 Virtues!
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