Benjamin Franklin's Virtues Week 5: Tranquility

This is the fifth in a series of articles about the 13 Virtues of Benjamin Franklin

TRANQUILITY

Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

Every day we encounter distractions, annoyances, and conflict. It’s inevitable. We have no control over these things, but we do have the ability to control how we react to them.

We all know that person that tries to control every situation, and winds up not only driving themselves crazy, but everyone around them as well. What is actually very simple and easy for most people becomes very complicated for them, because they make it that way. But there are very few things in the everyday course of life that are actually complicated. The simpler you keep your life, the less stress you’re going to feel, and the happier and more relaxed you’ll become.

There are things within your power to change, and there are things that are outside your ability to change. Focus on those things you can change, and let everything else go. If you can come to that acceptance, you’ll find there is a lot less stress in your life.

And when you’re calm and tranquil, when you stop worrying about those things that don’t matter very much, you’ll find you weather the real problems that come up much easier.

~TEC

This is one of a series of Wednesday postings that examine Benjamin Franklin’ 13 Virtues he believed necessary to achieve moral perfection.  You can find all the related articles by searching the blog under the “Franklin’s Virtues” label.