Thank you for joining!
You're part of a group of people that prioritizes reflection, thoughtfulness, and self-awareness. Below are more details about the Insight Club that will get you started, including:
You're part of a group of people that prioritizes reflection, thoughtfulness, and self-awareness. Below are more details about the Insight Club that will get you started, including:
- The dial-in # / link for Morning Meditations
- The format of the Ben Franklin journal
- The date/time for the twice-monthly Office Hours
Morning Meditations
Dial-in Information
Please mark the following in your calendar:
Days of the week: Every Tuesday & Thursday
Time: 7:00am - 7:30am ET
Dial-in #: (712) 775-7031, access code: 364-059-729 (your minutes will be used)
Online link: https://www.freeconferencecall.com/wall/364059729 (completely free)
Call Format
I recommend light stretching beforehand to loosen up your back muscles. Please do your best to call in or sign in at 7:00am since we will start exactly at 7:05 and the pings of incoming callers can interrupt the meditation.
Please mark the following in your calendar:
Days of the week: Every Tuesday & Thursday
Time: 7:00am - 7:30am ET
Dial-in #: (712) 775-7031, access code: 364-059-729 (your minutes will be used)
Online link: https://www.freeconferencecall.com/wall/364059729 (completely free)
Call Format
- 7:00 to 7:05: Sign in / call in & get settled in a chair or seated on the floor.
- 7:05 to 7:25: Meditation will start promptly at 7:05am and continue until 7:25am.
- 7:25 to 7:30: Meditation will end exactly at 7:25am with 5 minutes of Q&A afterwards.
I recommend light stretching beforehand to loosen up your back muscles. Please do your best to call in or sign in at 7:00am since we will start exactly at 7:05 and the pings of incoming callers can interrupt the meditation.
Ben Franklin Journal
How It Works
Here are the list of virtues by month for the journal:
To walk through an example, let's use the virtue of "Truth."
1st 1/2 of the month: How Do Others Exhibit This Virtue?
During the first half of the month, keeping "Truth" at the forefront of your attention, ask yourself the following question: "How do others in my life exhibit this virtue?"
You're looking outside yourself and observing your friends, family, colleagues, and even celebrities or characters in books and movies that draw your attention as it pertains to the virtue.
For example, if a colleague says something in a meeting you find truthful, and you mentally applaud them for it, make a quick note afterwards. Or if a friend points out something you believe represents truth in your life, make a note of it later.
2nd 1/2 of the month: How Do I Exhibit This Virtue?
During the second half of the month, again keeping "Truth" at the forefront of your attention, ask yourself the following question: "How am I exhibiting this virtue in my life?"
You're looking within yourself this time and observing how you display this virtue at work, at home, and in the variety of circumstances that make up your life.
For example, if you're truthful to someone else about your feelings about them, make a note. And if you find yourself being truthful to yourself about something missing in your life, or truly recognizing yourself for an accomplishment, jot that down.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
"What if I start in the middle of the year?"
Say you start on June 23rd, look at the virtue related to that month, which is "Silence." Since you're in the 2nd 1/2 of the month, ask yourself "How do I exhibit this virtue?" and start journaling on this question.
Or perhaps you start on September 6th. You're now on the virtue of "Moderation" and in the 1st 1/2 of the month so you'll begin with "How do others exhibit this virtue?" And so on.
You may fall off for a little bit as well. Many do, and it happens, especially when you go on vacation, or your schedule gets busy. No problem. You can start fresh depending on which month you're in and what part of the month it is. There is no pressure here, though you will get out of it what you put in.
"What about when this virtue is NOT exhibited?"
That's a great question and will come up as you pay attention to the virtue. You'll naturally notice when others or you are not truthful, but I challenge you to see how you can help them or yourself exhibit more truth when that happens. The goal is not to complain or judge, but to strengthen the virtue by taking direct action.
"What is the best method / tool for journaling?"
Whatever allows you to capture the experience as quickly as possible. The act of journaling can feel urgent sometimes, as if you must get it out. For this reason, I recommend using a 8.5 x 11" piece of paper for each virtue. You can fold it up and it easily fits in your pocket or purse. At the end of the 2 weeks, put it into a folder at work or at home, so you can look at it later if you like.
Alternatively, you can get a pocket moleskine journal, or if you prefer an electronic method, use the "Notes" app on your smartphone and create a new note for each virtue.
"Is there a specific routine you recommend for journaling?"
With the Ben Franklin Journal, the shorter the time between an experience and your written interpretation of it, the better. This is because our thoughts tend to revise experiences in our heads over time. If you must keep a routine, try to write your thoughts within the day of having the experience that relates to them, perhaps at night before you go to sleep.
Here are the list of virtues by month for the journal:
- January: Truth
- February: Tranquility
- March: Humility
- April: Patience
- May: Kindness
- June: Silence
- July: Resolve
- August: Sincerity
- September: Moderation
- October: Forgiveness
- November: Strength
- December: Order
To walk through an example, let's use the virtue of "Truth."
1st 1/2 of the month: How Do Others Exhibit This Virtue?
During the first half of the month, keeping "Truth" at the forefront of your attention, ask yourself the following question: "How do others in my life exhibit this virtue?"
You're looking outside yourself and observing your friends, family, colleagues, and even celebrities or characters in books and movies that draw your attention as it pertains to the virtue.
For example, if a colleague says something in a meeting you find truthful, and you mentally applaud them for it, make a quick note afterwards. Or if a friend points out something you believe represents truth in your life, make a note of it later.
2nd 1/2 of the month: How Do I Exhibit This Virtue?
During the second half of the month, again keeping "Truth" at the forefront of your attention, ask yourself the following question: "How am I exhibiting this virtue in my life?"
You're looking within yourself this time and observing how you display this virtue at work, at home, and in the variety of circumstances that make up your life.
For example, if you're truthful to someone else about your feelings about them, make a note. And if you find yourself being truthful to yourself about something missing in your life, or truly recognizing yourself for an accomplishment, jot that down.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
"What if I start in the middle of the year?"
Say you start on June 23rd, look at the virtue related to that month, which is "Silence." Since you're in the 2nd 1/2 of the month, ask yourself "How do I exhibit this virtue?" and start journaling on this question.
Or perhaps you start on September 6th. You're now on the virtue of "Moderation" and in the 1st 1/2 of the month so you'll begin with "How do others exhibit this virtue?" And so on.
You may fall off for a little bit as well. Many do, and it happens, especially when you go on vacation, or your schedule gets busy. No problem. You can start fresh depending on which month you're in and what part of the month it is. There is no pressure here, though you will get out of it what you put in.
"What about when this virtue is NOT exhibited?"
That's a great question and will come up as you pay attention to the virtue. You'll naturally notice when others or you are not truthful, but I challenge you to see how you can help them or yourself exhibit more truth when that happens. The goal is not to complain or judge, but to strengthen the virtue by taking direct action.
"What is the best method / tool for journaling?"
Whatever allows you to capture the experience as quickly as possible. The act of journaling can feel urgent sometimes, as if you must get it out. For this reason, I recommend using a 8.5 x 11" piece of paper for each virtue. You can fold it up and it easily fits in your pocket or purse. At the end of the 2 weeks, put it into a folder at work or at home, so you can look at it later if you like.
Alternatively, you can get a pocket moleskine journal, or if you prefer an electronic method, use the "Notes" app on your smartphone and create a new note for each virtue.
"Is there a specific routine you recommend for journaling?"
With the Ben Franklin Journal, the shorter the time between an experience and your written interpretation of it, the better. This is because our thoughts tend to revise experiences in our heads over time. If you must keep a routine, try to write your thoughts within the day of having the experience that relates to them, perhaps at night before you go to sleep.
Monthly Office Hours
General Date & Time
Office hours are a 1-hour forum for open discussion about meditation, journaling, and any shared lessons you would like to offer other Insight Club members.
Office hours will typically be held on Thursdays or Fridays during the last week of the month. You will receive a reminder email indicating the exact date and time with the dial-in information.
Office hours are a 1-hour forum for open discussion about meditation, journaling, and any shared lessons you would like to offer other Insight Club members.
Office hours will typically be held on Thursdays or Fridays during the last week of the month. You will receive a reminder email indicating the exact date and time with the dial-in information.