Sincerity

It is the seventh virtue in Benjamin Franklins cycle of Virtues. Here is, what he had to say about it:

Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; if you speak, speak accordingly...

You will have realized, that I jumped right into sincerity and seem to have bypassed industry. But no, I did not. I am trying to be better with sincerity, than I was with industry. And - not using any sort of deceit, certainly not hurtful ones - I did suck at industry. I thought, that I was bad with industry, but it was just, because I hadn't tried out industry yet.

My work at industry was: being very late in the office and on Friday going early as well. Not doing any worthwhile housework and sports I only did on Monday. I did go walking with my girls, but since one of them got problems with her knees, I turned back early with her. And I spent a lot of time watching DVD, listening to my audi-books or playing on the computer. There: it's out.

Now I can really go on with Sincerity. How will I work that out for me, why does it come so late in the virtues? As to the latter, maybe it is, so whoever tries out this cycle can start by being sincere to themselves. And so I am sincere enough to myself to admit, that though I did make a good start, I already failed at the fifths virtue. So Sincerity can be a new start.

Therefore I decided to be sincere and hones with myself. Also to not waste my time and just do my work at work, without grumbling. There are a lot of people in the world, who would love to have a job to grumble about. And I will try not to babble so much nonsense. Not, that I tend to be intenionally unjust, but I do not always use my brain, while talking. You may know the concept, at least I hope, that others have that problem.

Now, my idea is, if I think about what I say, I will take into consideration, that I do not have all the facts about everybody and everything. So I try to think innocently and give everybody the benefit of the doubt and expect them to be honest people, who mean no harm, like me. Which I must admit, I do not always do. I am a victim to prejudice, being human.

More precisely therefore:

-   I won't deceive myself as to my motives

-   I won't expect people to be nasty

-   I will not waste my time in grumbling, but put in some extra work in to worktime. 

    (partly to make up for last week).

And I even found a song, that might work here: if you do not say all you think is right (but turns out wrong) your Silence is golden (I do not own this clip, of course)

I wish you all a good week of Sincerity.