Resolution of Temperance

“Hesitating only for a moment,

Hercules chose the one that made all the difference.

He chose virtue.

‘Virtue’ can seem old-fashioned.

Yet virtue - arete - translates to something very simple

and very timeless: Excellence. Moral. Physical. Mental.

In the ancient world, virtue was comprised of four key components.

Courage. Temperance. Justice. Wisdom.”

Ryan Holiday, Discipline is Destiny: the power of self-control, p.xii

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Here comes the flurry.

The rush of ideas.

Good resolutions to try this New Year.

Yesterday, I wrote about freedom.

The freedom to disrupt.

Within constraints and parameters.

Yesterday, I broke from my morning pattern.

I tried something new.

I’m trying it again today.

This weekly writing piece is typically “next in line.”

My protocol is to begin my writing practice with flow.

A free flow of thought in my daily journal.

Following this flurry of writing, I breathe.

Then I embark on part two of my daily writing practice.

The practice of precision.

Flow, then precision.

The hallmarks of deliberate practice.

Talent-building practices for the aspiring master.

Yes, I know.

I am hundreds, if not thousands of writings away.

But I’m on the path, taking my daily steps.

So I woke up this morning, ready to do my thing.

My morning protocol: silence, reading, and writing.

And again, I chose freedom.

And temperance.

To step back to breathe.

Because I was hit with a flurry.

The New Year comes with a rush.

The sense of stepping out of the old.

The hope of good things to come.

In fact, I just watched Brian Johnson’s video.

Best Year Ever 101.

His energy is infectious.

So yes, I want to make 2023 my best year ever.

Just like I did in 2022 and 2021.

Both of which easily beat out that previous year.

But here’s the irony I noticed.

I already have great systems and habits in place.

I don’t need to overhaul anything.

I just need to stay consistent and disciplined.

I just need to maintain the protocols I have already established.

I just need temperance.

Freedom is good, within constraints.

And I have chosen freedom for the past couple of days.

But healthy freedom requires moderation.

Virtue, or arete, is having the courage to act with temperance.

These first two cardinal “touchstones of goodness.”

As Marcus Aurelius called them, the four virtues.

So I will consider my many ideas.

There is no “vice” so to speak.

But there is virtue in choosing wisely.

I understand my limitations.

Which is precisely why I have reasoned systems and habits.

But I will always be open and leave some space.

There is always room for improvement.

If we act in temperance and moderation.

Even of the good.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash