Choose to be wise

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 When I sit and think about wisdom, I automatically envision an elderly person, someone much older than myself, or the wisest man who ever lived, Jesus. They're the people who have experienced much and just from listening to them, anyone could soak up valuable life lessons that could change the direction of their destiny. 

Wisdom . . .

A word that is defined as a deep understanding and realization of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to apply perceptions, judgements and actions in keeping with this understanding. It often requires control of one's emotional reactions so that universal principles, reason and knowledge prevail to determine one's actions.

I mean who wouldn't want that? 



I can't see why any person would choose to go through life having to learn things the hard way. It just doesn't make any sense.

One thing that has consistently bothered me since my days as a teen is some people's inability to make good decisions and/or listen to advice.

I must admit I fall victim to these foolish antics at one time or another, (Usually when dealing with my parents or husband; I know that's terrible. I'm working on it) but overall I try to remain a teachable person.

Like my mom always says, "If you know everything, it's time for you to die."

Isn't that the truth though? No matter what your age, status, or position, we don't know everything. Sure we might be very educated and well-versed in one area but does that mean we're qualified to speak in all areas? 

Absolutely not.

I wouldn't try to tell a tech savvy person how to code a computer program or an engineer how to build a new bridge. I have no knowledge in those areas, therefore I keep my mouth shut.

For me, a wise person isn't just one with an education. They're the people who have experienced life, the lives of others, trials, tribulations, and have made the choice to incorporate these things into their everyday lives. 

They willingly listen to the advice of others and know how to filter the good from the bad. In part they're teachable. 

Think of someone who you admire for their wisdom.

How do you think they got there?

Was it simply through trial and error?

I highly doubt it. They're the ones who make an effort to meet new people, listen to their stories, and in turn take something from it. No matter how pointless a conversation may seem, we can always learn something; even if it simply teaches us that we don't want to be like the person we were communicating with.

For example, with my due date rapidly approaching I'm becoming more and more aware that I have no clue how to give birth to  a child. 

(I mean it's not like that sort of knowledge just falls from the sky. How on Earth is a human supposed to come out of me? Forget the fact that I'm still stunned that a little life is growing inside of me).

Last weekend I had the privilege of attending a friend's baby shower that just so happened to be filled with mothers of one and two year olds. They divulged story after story of their experiences, giving me advice and at times scaring the bejeezes out of me. It would've been easy for me to just tune them out, move to another table, or simply say "thanks I got it," but would that have been the wise thing to do? Absolutely not!

I jumped right in, listening to everything they had to say while taking mental notes. I couldn't pay for the kind of wisdom these ladies willingly imparted on me. Sure there's one thing to use Google, a book, or a class, but for me real life experiences will always win out over anything else. 

So what's my point?

Choose to me among the wise. 

When we think we know it all and have the attitude that "no one can teach me anything," we end up loosing in the end. People can clearly see when we think we're "too cool for school." It comes off cocky and will never get us anywhere in life.

Be someone who learns from the mistakes of others.

We don't know everything.