It’s
one of those quirky sayings we wonder about as a kid. Now that we’re adults though we won’t blame mom
for slowing down the process of gaining wisdom!
When she said it, no doubt the kids were being sassy.
We were also told it’s wise not to cast judgment unless we’ve “walked
a mile in someone else’s shoes”! A
funny guy once said that if you judge someone, what can they do to you? You’re a mile away, and you’ve got their
shoes! – but I don’t think that is quite the lesson.
What is it that makes people wise?
What is that magic thing they possess that makes us
look to them for insight or advice; to seek them out when we have a problem or
decision to make?
1. Wise people always seem
to know the “right thing to do”.
They understand what matters to people, why people
do the things they do, and what to do with what they know. They
seem to possess a moral and ethical auto
compass that always points to true north.
2. Wise people can deal with difficulties that come their way.
Eugene Peterson once said that wisdom is the
art of living skillfully in whatever actual conditions we find ourselves. Wisdom is not compromising our values no matter what we’re facing.
3. Wise people become that way through failure far more than through
success.
Failure is inevitable and
natural. In fact, it’s the essence of
progress. Failures in our careers give a
degree of respect and humility because they reveal how hard it is to really be
successful. If you’re not changed by
failure, you aren’t getting wiser!
Who are the 10 Wisest
people you know? Would you be on anyone’s Top
Ten list?
Let these questions sink in a little. What can we do to become wiser? To use mature judgment versus raw
intellect? Wisdom will come from what we
observe, learn and apply from what life offers us. It will come from choosing wise people as
friends and mentors.
It’s
a journey, and we just need to take the next step!
InAccord Consultants would love to help you take that "next step"! We have discovered what we believe is the best evaluation method for anyone who wants to shed light on their strengths, motivational needs, behaviours and potential.
Ask us today for a free introduction!
InAccord with you,
Catherine Robertson & Karla Rockwell
