DIY: Virtues Mini-Collage
Benjamin Franklin devised a method for self-betterment- He created his own list of virtues he considered most important, organizing them by personal difficulty. This way, he could focus his attention on the virtues to which felt he didn't inherently adhere. Pretty smart, right? We challenge you to do the same! Put this mini-collage somewhere you'll see it often. (A pocket in your wallet or a place on your refrigerator door will probably work best.) Strive to live by the virtues on your collage, and when you see it, we hope it will serve as a reminder to work at the difficult ones.
What you'll need: A piece of construction paper or cardboard cut to the size of a credit card (about 3 inches x 2 inches), notebook paper, a pencil, a pen or permanent marker, some scrap magazines, scissors, and glue
Step 1: What virtues are important to you? (Ex: loyalty, honesty, benevolence) In a notebook, or on a piece of paper, write some down. Choose five from your list to include in your mini-collage.
Step 1: What virtues are important to you? (Ex: loyalty, honesty, benevolence) In a notebook, or on a piece of paper, write some down. Choose five from your list to include in your mini-collage.
Step 2: Which virtues give you a hard time? Rewrite your virtues, organizing them by personal difficulty. List them from most to least difficult. (Ex. 1. honesty, 2. benevolence, 3. loyalty)
Step 3: What images come to mind when you think of the virtues on your list? (Ex. associating benevolence with money or gifts) Browse the web or flip through some magazines and newspapers for pictures you associate with your virtues. Try to find some small ones so they won't take up too much space on your construction paper.
Step 3: What images come to mind when you think of the virtues on your list? (Ex. associating benevolence with money or gifts) Browse the web or flip through some magazines and newspapers for pictures you associate with your virtues. Try to find some small ones so they won't take up too much space on your construction paper.
Step 4: Cut out the images you just found and glue them to your construction paper.
Step 5: Neatly write down or print your list of virtues (in order) on a small square of paper. Glue this paper to the center of your construction paper so that it is surrounded by the pictures you chose.
Step 5: Neatly write down or print your list of virtues (in order) on a small square of paper. Glue this paper to the center of your construction paper so that it is surrounded by the pictures you chose.
Step 6: On the back of your collage, display a quote that pertains to your #1 virtue to remind you to devote extra focus to this one.
Step 7: If you are feeling particularly crafty, you can laminate your mini-collage and even make it a magnet by gluing a magnetic strip to the back, instead of having a quote! Let your project dry, then place it somewhere you'll see it often.
Step 7: If you are feeling particularly crafty, you can laminate your mini-collage and even make it a magnet by gluing a magnetic strip to the back, instead of having a quote! Let your project dry, then place it somewhere you'll see it often.
You're done!
Good job!
Good job!