Temperance Week 1: Chart

The lure of northern European cuisine notwithstanding, Temperance wasn't a bad week for me.  I think the time I spend thinking about food instead of working – issues of Resolution, Order, and Industry more than Temperance – would be more upsetting to Franklin than any trouble I have avoiding eating to dullness and drinking to elevation.  Here's my first scorecard:

This is a little deceptive, since I was crazed finishing grades on Monday, and on vacation during the weekend, more or less hewing to my vacation plans.  But looking at the pooling of faults midweek, we can see what I expected and what partly motivated me to begin with – at once the particular difficulties of this system for me and its potential benefits.  I am challenged in Order, Industry, and Resolution, especially when I work on my own schedule, as I will be doing for a few months, writing my book in precious time I earned by teaching overloads earlier in the year.  I won't get this time back, and I want a little bit of Franklin's signature virtues to help me use it well. 

This week is Silence: "Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation." It is also likely to be relatively easy, since I am working from home and not prone to trifle with my beagle, the only one around to talk to during the day.  I'll use the time to develop more disciplined work habits in preparation for Order.  I hope.