Rely on this invaluable virtue—Quick Sunday Read
Rely on this invaluable virtue—Quick Sunday Read
An inking to tickle your thoughts. Words have power. Use them well.
Hearts racing. News flying in all directions. Headlines cause unrest, panic even. I find it helpful in these current unsettling times to glean wisdom from the ancient Stoics by incorporating one of their most valued virtues:
Temperance
As always, I would love to hear your thoughts.
This week's word: Temperance
Temperance. What a measured and even word.
Temperance is a noun with the simple meaning "moderation in action, thought, or feeling."
Restraint. Control. Stoicism. Measure. Asceticism. Continence. Discretion. Prudence. Moderation.
First used in the 1200–50; From Middle English. Anglo-French: temperaunce and Latin temperantia, both mean self-control.
From Ryan Holiday’s The Daily Stoic: "The Stoics used temperance interchangeably with ‘self-control.’ Temperance is guarded against extremes. Self-control, not just towards material goods, but self-control, harmony, and good discipline always—in pleasure or pain, admiration or contempt, failure or triumph. Temperance is guarded against extremes, not relying on the fleetingness of pleasure for happiness nor allowing the fleetingness of pain to destroy it."
While we can’t control so much of what's out there taking up space in the ether, we can control is our temperance. How we respond or react to it is vital - not just externally but internally.
It's being even-tempered. Greeting things with balanced energy.
"Temperance is moderation in the things that are good and total abstinence in the things that are foul." — Frances E. Willard
Temperance keeps you present. It takes focus and intention to maintain it.
"Temperance is the wisdom to know that not every constructive job requires a hammer." — Wes Fesler, football coach
This is not being complacent or ignorant, even. It's the opposite. Adopting temperance is acquiring knowledge while aligning with the highest wisdom—the wisdom that governs the order in the universe. The wisdom that guides our intuition. The wisdom that seeks the truth.
It's not living in fear. It's living in balanced strength.
"Health consists with temperance alone." — Alexander Pope
The invitation is to rely upon and stand in this invaluable virtue.
Take a few moments this week to connect to temperance.
Something to think about.
Journal Prompt
Prompt: Where in your life right now, today, apply some temperance?
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I hope you have a balanced week filled with temperance. And, kindness.
Keep creating, abundantly,
