1. Love
always give it and you will receive it in abundance
2. Passion
you either have it or you don’t, but if you don’t, find it
3. Trust
if one never gives it, one will never receive it
4. Honor
the ability to keep sacred what is right, through all situations
5. Integrity
Represent yourself well, represent others even better
6. Perseverance
everyone has the capability to achieve it, yet few realize their capability
7. Loyalty
above all be loyal to what is important to you, or you will have nothing of importance
8. Honesty
be true to yourself, and others will be honest in return
9. Leadership
the wisdom to take a stand or a seat
10. Pride
never display it excess, but apply it to everything you do
11. Beauty
never take it for granted, for it never lasts
12. Intelligence
few have it, even fewer demonstrate it
13. Charm
your wing man if tough situations
I tried to create a personal rendition of Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues. Although my version isn’t necessarily based on virtues, it isn’t completely against the idea either. Rather, my list of words gives a new perspective on a way to think about things. My list is a grouping of definitions as well as a manual on how to use them. For instance, I do not define love, but I state that love is something one has to give, before one can receive it. Love has to be given as well as received, otherwise it isn’t love. I realize my one liners may resemble the wording that can be found on any motivational or “deep thought” poster, which may allude to their lameness. But, perhaps I should not even “flatter my vanity” like Franklin to think that my thoughts could even be compared to those, which are made into posters, but then again Franklin turned alright.
