Wisdom

 

Wisdom

The MMM has often addressed wisdom and our (my) ongoing pursuit of it.  I have also written about how impatient we are as humans.  Impatience and wisdom don’t play well together.  Consider the following which addresses both points…

Wisdom is not proven by argument or debate.  Wisdom is proven over time.  Some people adamantly proclaim that their opinion is best.  Regardless of how convincingly these people defend their viewpoint, time is the best judge of their wisdom.  The result of a practice proves its validity, not how loudly it is promoted. ¹

Be wary of those who seek to have their own wisdom acknowledged before it can be proven over time.  Volume does not equate to wisdom.  Also, be patience with your own understanding of wisdom. 

Have a blessed week.

1 – Taken from: Experiencing God Day-By-Day, Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby

Wisdom

 

The MMM has often addressed wisdom and our ongoing pursuit of it. Wisdom is a permanent fixture on my prayer list.  I have also written about how impatient we are as humans.  Impatience and wisdom don’t go well together.  Consider the following which addresses both points…

 

Wisdom is not proven by argument or debate.  Wisdom is proven over time.  Some people adamantly proclaim that their opinion is best.  Regardless of how convincingly these people defend their viewpoint, time is the best judge of their wisdom.  The result of a practice proves its validity, not how loudly it is promoted. ¹

 

Be wary of those who seek to have their own wisdom acknowledged before it can be proven over time.  Remember to be patient with your own understanding of wisdom. 

 

Have a blessed week.

 

1 – Taken from: Experiencing God Day-By-Day, Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby

Patience and Preparation

We have become a very impatient people.  I should know because patience is a serious weakness of mine.  We are impatient in lines at the grocery store and when stuck in traffic.  We are impatient with doctors healing our illnesses and lawyers solving our problems.  We are impatient with our family and friends. Most importantly, we are impatient to achieve success.  Consider this quote…

“Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation.”                           -       Robert H. Schuller

We do not want to spend the time it takes in preparation to achieve.  It does not matter what you want to achieve, it will require preparation.  Whether it is financial success, good grades, or athletic prowess, you must be willing to devote hours and hours of not so glamorous preparation.  It may not be fun, and it will be hard work, but the rewards of achievement can be spectacular!  Therefore, we cannot be impatient about it.

Take a Breath Before You Speak

The strategy itself is remarkably simple.  It involves nothing more than pausing and taking a breath or two before you respond to someone who has just spoken to you.  At first, the silent gap may seem like an eternity, but in reality, it amounts to only a fraction of a second of time.

Observe the conversations around you, you will notice that many of us are simply waiting for our chance to speak.  We are not listening to others, but simply waiting for an opening and the opportunity to express our own viewpoint. Truly listening requires patience and discipline.  Don’t miss the opportunity to hear what is being said because you are planning what to say next.

This harried form of communication encourages us to criticize points of view, overreact, misinterpret meaning, and form opinions, all before our fellow communicator is even finished speaking.  No wonder we are so often annoyed, bothered, and irritated with one another.  With our poor listening skills, it is a miracle that we have any friends at all!  Are you listening?  Does this ring a bell?

No need to worry that you won’t get your turn to speak, you will.  In fact, it will be more rewarding to speak because the person you are speaking to will pick up on your respect and patience and will begin to do the same.  

Portions taken from Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff, By Richard Carlson, Ph.D.

We are all Leaders…

We are all leaders.  We lead by our actions and reactions.  We lead with the tone of our voice and our level of caring.  We lead by our attitude, our patience and our listening skills.  Don’t think you are not a leader.  No title is required to lead.  You lead at home, in your neighborhood, in the PTO and at the youth sports fields.  The questions is... Is your leadership intentional, positive, encouraging and challenging?

Do you embrace your leadership role?  Are you intentional in how you lead?  Do you recognize your ability to influence others, both positively and negatively?  Are you growing as a leader?

The fact that we are all leaders is a given, we have the ability to influence others.  What you do with that influence is what defines you as a leader…

Patience

Patience is a lost art.  Unfortunately I know, I have none.  We want to be satisfied immediately.  Results and successes have to be now.  Service must be on demand.  Next day free shipping is expected.  Test scores need to be online immediately.  Order on demand has to be available.  We have no patience as a society any more.  Maybe some of us do as individuals.  We should all try to be more patience.  Here are some reminders of the fact that great things take time!

• It took 26 months to build the Eiffel Tower.
• It took Da Vinci 4 years to paint the Mona Lisa.
• It took Michelangelo 4 years to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
• It took Leo Tolstoy over 6 years to write War and Peace.
• It took around 30 years to build the Great Pyramid.
• It took over 40 years before Beethoven’s Fur Elise was performed.
• It took Noah 100 years to build the ark.

This is a tough time of year on your patience.  Try to exercise more when looking for a parking spot or waiting in a checkout line.  Be patient my friends.

Impatience

In this day and age we have become very impatient people.  I should know because patience is a serious weakness of mine.  We are impatient in lines at the grocery store and in traffic (Traffic is the most difficult for me.)  We are impatient with doctors healing our illnesses and lawyers solving our problems.  On a bigger picture level, we are impatient to achieve, to achieve our goals and achieve our definitions of success.  We are focused on the destination and the outcome, not the journey or preparation.  Consider this quote…

“Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation”

Robert H. Schuller

The problem is that we do not want to spend the time it takes in preparation to achieve.  It does not matter what you want to achieve, it will require preparation.  Whether it is financial success, good grades or athletic prowess, you have to be willing to devote not so glamorous hours and hours of preparation.  Preparation may not be fun, but the rewards of achievement can be spectacular!  Try not to be so impatient. 

Holiday Season Leadership

The holidays represent a great opportunity for each of us as leaders.  Not as a political leadership occasion or a chance to excel in a leadership role at work, but the holidays are full of “lead by example” opportunities at home. 

·         Christ like love can be shown for our family and others

·         Materialism can be de-emphasized (not the normal thought at Christmas)

·         Tithing and charitable giving can be taught

·         Patience can be exemplified (long checkout lines, full parking lots and traffic)

·         Understanding and flexibility can be displayed in family gatherings

·         Giving can be emphasized

·         Good sportsmanship can be demonstrated during football and card games

·         Prayer can be a focus

·         Lessons can be learned from those less fortunate

Our families and those around us during the holidays can learn so much by watching our behavior as leaders.  Embrace your leadership opportunities this holiday season!

The MMM will take a brief holiday break. Watch for our return on Monday January 8^th, 2018.  Wow, I cannot believe how this year has flown by!  Be a blessing this Christmas!

Wisdom

I have written in the MMM before about wisdom and our ongoing pursuit of it.  I have also written about how impatient we are as humans.  Impatience and wisdom do not go well together.  Consider the following which addresses both points…

Wisdom is not proven by argument or debate.  Wisdom is proven over time.  Some people adamantly proclaim that their opinion is best.  Regardless of how convincingly these people defend their viewpoint, time is the best judge of their wisdom.  The result of a practice proves its validity, not how loudly it is promoted. ¹

Be wary of those who seek to have their own wisdom acknowledged before it can be proven over time.  Also, be patience with your own understanding of wisdom. 

Have a blessed week.

1 – Taken from: Experiencing God Day-By-Day, Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby

Wisdom

I have written often about wisdom and our ongoing pursuit of it.  The MMM has also addressed how impatient we are as humans.  Consider the following writing which addresses both points…

Wisdom is not proven by argument or debate.  Wisdom is proven over time.  Some people adamantly proclaim that their opinion is best.  Regardless of how convincingly these people defend their viewpoint, time is the best judge of their wisdom.  The result of a practice proves its validity, not how loudly it is promoted. ¹

Be wary of those who seek to have their own wisdom acknowledged before it can be proven over time.  Also, be patient with your own understanding of what is wise.  Wisdom is elusive.  It is easier to spot in others than in ones’ self.  Be careful when claiming wisdom publically, but constantly strive to be wise.

Have a blessed week.

1 – Taken from: Experiencing God Day-By-Day, Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby