Tag Archives: mission_statement

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Brilliance from Benny boy: Discipline and Goals

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At the age of twenty, Benjamin Franklin, partially reflecting on Philippians 4:8, wrote a list of virtues he felt where important to a disciplined life:

1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness and drink not to elevation.

2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.

3. Order: Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.

4. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.

5. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing.

6. Industry: Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.

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

8. Justice: Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

9. Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.

11. Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring; Never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.

12. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

As I’ve been re-looking at my goals and trying to put them in a order and format that I can really keep to and appreciate, I’ve decided to go with a similar format to Benny’s.

I listed these virtues in a quick brainstorm last night, so I’m probably going to change them around at different points.

Moderation: Avoid extremes. Simply meet needs

Justice: Live in a way that is un-oppressive.

Simplicity: Free my life of unneccessaries

Discipline: Live as I plan, not on a whim.

Grace: Allow myself and other’s God’s redeeming grace.

Humility: Remain a follower (of Christ)

Prayer: Submit my life and desires to God

Ambition: Use every minute as if my last.

Sacrifice: Forego worldly pleasures and wants.

Passion: Let my passion fuel my actions.

What are your virtues?

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Personal Mission Statements and Goals

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Mindy and I talked over some Goals we had written a little over a year ago. It was an encouraging activity because we were able to reflect on the progress we had made in the past year. We also talked about ways that our goals have changed or had become more specific.
The discussion really encouraged us both to write our goals and place them in a prominent place for us to be continually reminded of. I’ve mentioned before that through college I had my goals posted next to my desk and they where essential in my making my time at college successful and fulfilling.

I like simple so I’ve summarized my life goals in this way:

ACT. LOVE. LIVE.

I desire to carry out my beliefs in through my actions. I firmly believe unconditional, sacrificial love is what we were created for. Living in community is essential.
Sorry I can’t give more profound or clear descriptions of my goals.

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Why I am was at Wheaton

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Before I walked into my room on the sixth floor of Traber dorm at Wheaton College, I had taken the time to sit down and write a statement to myself about why I was going to be spending the next few years of my life in that place.  Writing out this mission statement was probably the most impacting and influencial step I took in making my time in college worthwhile. 
For those new and current students who come across this post, I strongly encourage you to write your own statement and post it in a prominent place in your room.  Because I was intentional about them, most of the statements below of proven true.

WHY I AM AT WHEATON…

I believe God has called me here.
1.He got me in despite my shortcomings
2.He’s provided the finances to be here

I am at one of the best Christian academic schools in the world because God wants me here.

God has called me here to…
-Learn about him and his work in many areas.
-To interact and study under some of the smartest Christians in their particular field in the world, and learn to glorify God in that area.
-To be a part of a body of young people eager for God
-To get a degree (because I have been afforded this opportunity)
-To be a light of God’s truth to the people around me
-To root myself in the factual evidence of God’s truth that I may stand on that firm foundation of God’s word.

“…And we take Captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
–I Cor. 10:5

When I think about my time at Wheaton I undoubtedly think of the many wonderful friendships that I have built through my time there.  I also look back with few regrets about where my priorities were.  There are many who look back wishing they had went to more classes, read more of the books, visited with more of the professors.  No one I know wishes they had slept through more of their college years.  I say all this to encourage current Wheaton students and any other college students to be intentional about your time.  The parties will be forgotten.