CatholicMom.com

Home *  Blog  * Faith  *  Parenting  *  Adoption  *  Catholic Kids  * 
Gospel Coloring Activity * Book Club  *  Music * Cooking with Catholic Mom * Home and Garden *  Videos  * Links *  Shop to Help * Contact Us * Search

Additional Catholic Mom Columns
 

Teaching Moment Idea – The Art of Doing Good

Every so often you read something that hits you smack in the face.  The concept you just read about is one of those “That’s so easy why didn’t I think of it” moments.  I was reading Paula Benner’s excellent book, Benjamin Franklin’s Art of Virtue Journal, and had that type of reaction. 

Ben Franklin started off every day looking for things he could do to help others.   He focused on doing “good” by asking two questions every day. 

In the morning:  What good can I do today?

Before bed:  What good did I do today?

Wow!  So simple yet so powerful.   

Ben Franklin was the fifteenth child of a poor family, and had only three years of formal education, yet he overcame many obstacles to his success.   He lived from 1706 to 1790 and during those 84 years he became an author, publisher, scientist, inventor of the lightning rod and the Franklin stove, and one of America’s Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence and was the United States Ambassador to France.  Mr. Franklin was a life long learner who taught himself five languages and could play several musical instruments. 

Ben Franklin focused on doing good for others and he may have proved the old adage “Give to others and the rewards will come back to you ten fold.”   Franklin did not do “good” for personal profit.  He did it because that was the way he wanted to live his life.   He spent a lifetime learning how to improve the fundamentals of success – his personal character traits (e.g. sincerity, moderation, orderliness, helping others, etc.).   Both he and our country benefited from his determination to do so.   

I would strongly recommend learning more about how Ben Franklin lived his life.  It may have been over two hundred years ago, but his ideas on character development are as important today as they were then.  Some would suggest that those traits are even more essential today. 

Ideas for Implementation

1. Each day ask the above questions Ben Franklin asked of himself.

2. Notice how it changes the focus of your daily activities.

3. Tell others about what you are doing and encourage them to also start using these questions. 

10/30/06

Additional Catholic Mom Columns

Catholic Mom Recommends:

Home *  Faith  *  Parenting  *  Catholic Kids  *  Book Club  *  Music  *  Videos  *  Shop to Help * Contact Us * Search