Becoming An Outstanding Person | Temperance – Week 1 of 12 |

This article is part of the How To Become An Outstanding Person In Twelve Weeks series. The twelve weeks will allow you to tap into your hidden potential and become a productive power house like the infamous “first American”, Benjamin Franklin.

While I believe that anyone and everyone could accomplish “outstanding” status, I also believe that it takes dedication and elbow grease. I present you with a step-by-step guide to accomplishing this goal, just dig in and start now.

The way the excel journals function is that I work on one virtue per week, concentrating all my efforts on the task as hand, while recording the slip ups in the other virtues as they progress naturally. I won’t comment on the slip ups until that specific virtue gets its week.

Temperance (Week 1 of 12)

My progress with Temperance.

Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. This means to practice self-control when consuming food and alcoholic beverages. The feeling of dullness is what you get when you eat a big/greasy meal and basically fall into a food coma, aka fog of brain. Throwing back a few drinks at lunch, as well as having a large meal will hinder your focus and concentration; ultimately, your productivity will suffer.

I found this to be an easy virtue to successfully complete for the duration of one week. Don’t overeat, don’t get drunk – simple. If you pay attention and make a commitment to do this, you will notice yourself ordering smaller portions and saving portions of your meals for later. Here’s a free tip – don’t super size.

The side effect is that you remain frugal, at least on meals, and lose weight, if that’s what you’re after. You also appreciate food much more when you eat in moderation. The key is too eat until you are satisfied, not until you feel full. Try it.

Becoming Outstanding Series

How To Become An Outstanding Person In Twelve Weeks
Week 01 – Temperance
Week 02 – Silence
Week 03 – Order
Week 04 – Resolution
Week 05 – Frugality
Week 06 – Industry
Week 07 – Sincerity
Week 08 – Justice
Week 09 – Moderation
Week 10 – Cleanliness
Week 11 – Tranquility
Week 12 – Chastity

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Sania Wyatt

Sania Wyatt said on February 27th, 2007 at 11:28 am

I think Temperance is not limited to ou eating habits but can also be applied to the way we spend money, the amount of time we devote to leisure and other activites that take much of out time.
Alex Shalman

Alex Shalman said on February 27th, 2007 at 11:58 am

Temperance and moderation are similar in nature. That is why I applied temperance for this purpose and planned to use moderation for other activities and avoiding extremes (i.e. work all day or play all day). Good catch though!
Pamela

Pamela said on February 27th, 2007 at 4:01 pm

Taking things in moderation is a general rule. Too much of anything is definitely not good. Although some are better off not taken into account.
Alan

Alan said on February 27th, 2007 at 11:29 pm

I agree, the “Temperance phase” would probably be the easier one of all twelve in the program. I am looking forward to seeing the rest of this and plan to work on some of this myself!
Alex Shalman

Alex Shalman said on February 27th, 2007 at 11:38 pm

Glad to have you on board for this series Alan, and I’m glad you’re going to take this up, it can’t hurt!
Alan

Alan said on February 27th, 2007 at 11:42 pm

Thanks Alex! Happy to take the trip with you!
Steven Aitchison

Steven Aitchison said on February 28th, 2007 at 1:18 am

This looks to be a good plan Alex. I am looking forward to hear how it goes for the next 12 weeks.
Alex Shalman

Alex Shalman said on February 28th, 2007 at 10:05 am

Thanks Steven, if it doesn’t kill me it’ll make me stronger
Aaron M. Potts

Aaron M. Potts said on February 28th, 2007 at 2:37 pm

Alex,

Great points about temperance with food and alcohol. I enjoy both as much as the next person, but I have also found that it is a lot easier than people think to control their consumption.

It is a matter of eating and drinking HABITS. Abstaining or over-indulging once in awhile will not make or break you, but the consistent application of those concepts will cause great benefit or distress over the long-term.
Alex Shalman

Alex Shalman said on February 28th, 2007 at 3:53 pm

Aaron,

It’s always about habits, I’m starting to wonder if full days can be “automated”. I’m thinking will-power is the ignition and habit is the motor. If you don’t turn off the motor, you never really need the ignition but once.
Aaron M. Potts

Aaron M. Potts said on February 28th, 2007 at 7:32 pm

What a great way to look at it, Alex! A very apt description of how the process works once someone gets their motor running properly.
Culture Shiok!

Culture Shiok! said on March 14th, 2007 at 9:52 am

To be honest, I’m not so good at this temperance thing
Alex Shalman

Alex Shalman said on March 14th, 2007 at 10:31 am

I’m sure if you are determined you will find a way to get very good at temperance. Let me know if you have any questions.
Brian Lee

Brian Lee said on March 27th, 2007 at 6:22 pm

This is my favorite virtue so far! This is a great series that you are doing.
Kara-Leah Masina

Kara-Leah Masina said on March 29th, 2007 at 8:44 pm

Temperance is of course one of the Major Arcana cards, and usually features a picture of a woman (often an angel) pouring one cup into another.

The major arcana is a journey that begins with the Fool, a young innocent off on a big adventure. Every card represents something along the journey. When the Fool comes in contact with Temperance, he learns about moderation, but also about alchemy and the union of opposites.

In some tarot, the water is mixed with fire – as in this beautiful description of the Fool’s encounter with Temperance.

“”How can you mix fire and water?” the Fool finally whispers.
Never pausing the Angel answers, “You must have the right vessels and the right proportions.”
The Fool watches with wonder. “Can this be done with all opposites?” he asks.
“Indeed,” the Angel replies, “Any oppositions, fire and water, man and woman, thesis and anti-thesis, can be made to harmonize. It is only a lack of will, a disbelief in the possibility of unity, that keeps opposites, opposite.”
And that is when the Fool begins to understand that he is the one who is keeping his universe in twain, holding life/death, material world and spiritual world separate. In him, the two could merge, as in the vessels that the Angel uses to pour the elements, one to the other. All it takes, the Fool realizes, is the right proportions….and the right vessel.”
So temperance becomes the idea of seeking balance and union…
Just another way to look at it.

Much joy,
Kara-Leah
Alex Shalman

Alex Shalman said on March 30th, 2007 at 7:11 am

A short response to a long comment. Deep! I’ve never done any type of tarot card reading before. Maybe you can do it for me, and see if the fool really does have temperance! =)
joel

joel said on February 4th, 2008 at 1:51 pm

week 1