Tag Archives: wisdom

The Worth of Wisdom

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If wisdom is worth thinking about, it is worth having. Wisdom goes beyond being smart, intellectual, and/or knowledgeable. Wisdom is the sum total of all of these and yet is only available to those who recognize this fact. The following was gleaned from Psychology Today online:

Wise people generally share an optimism that life’s problems can be solved and experience a certain amount of calm in facing difficult decisions. Intelligence—if only anyone could figure out exactly what it is—may be necessary for wisdom, but it definitely isn’t sufficient; an ability to see the big picture, a sense of proportion, and considerable introspection also contribute to its development.

The Bible speaks often and well of wisdom:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1;5 NIV

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, Proverbs 3:13

Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; Proverbs 4:5

Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13:10

For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Proverbs 8:11

 

And then there is the age old adage: Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. Whether or not you place much stock in this verse, it is wise to consider the worth of wisdom.

 

Peace Be With You

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The Trappist monk Thomas Merton once said, “We cannot be at peace with others because we are not at peace with ourselves, and we cannot be at peace with ourselves because we are not at peace with God”. Peace be with you. Happy Sunday.

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Please Pray For

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She’s just been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Please pray for peace and comfort.

She’s four months old and been stabbed by her mother. Please pray for healing.

He’s losing his wife to dementia. Please pray for strength and courage.

They lost their son to a senseless act of violence. Please pray for forgiveness and mercy.

He is in a powerful position and abusing his power. Please pray for wisdom and humility.

They believe that only their lives matter. Please pray for open hearts and minds.

They blatantly steal another’s property. Please pray for an effective conscience.

They text and drive. Please pray for acknowledgement of stupidity.

They drink and drive. Please pray for realization of danger.

For those experiencing estrangement…please pray for reconciliation.

Wherever you are, whatever the need, please pray for the best outcome.

 

 

 

 

 

Aristotle on Labour Day

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We Canadians are finishing up the last of a September long weekend, known as Labour Day. Some of us are enjoying cottage life, others day trips, and still others just lazing around enjoying not labouring at anything in particular.

Me? I’ve given myself a labour of love today. I love looking up quotes by famous people and today it is Aristotle, the Greek philosopher. Let me share a few:

Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.

Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.

The aim of the wise is not to secure pleasure, but to avoid pain.

Anybody can become angry – that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way – that is not within everybody’s power and is not easy.

Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.

And finally:

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Some Wise Words

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I picked this post up from one of Matthew Ruttan’s daily devotionals…as much for the picture as for the words. Some things always give us something to think about and this is one of those things…definitely thought provoking don’t you think? I hope your Wednesday offers you some wise words.

The Many Faces of Arrogance

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The other day I wrote about the art of being humble. Today we’ll tackle arrogance…quite the opposite of humility. Unlike how difficult it is to be humble, arrogance seems to come quite easily to some. There is no reason for one person to belittle another because of education, social status, wealth, hierarchy, religion, or whatever it is that makes him or her feel superior in any way.

Here are some definitions of arrogance taken from several online dictionaries:

“having or showing an exaggerated opinion of one’s own importance, merit, ability, etc; conceited; overbearingly proud”

“full of or due to unwarranted pride and self-importance; overbearing; haughty”

“Someone who is arrogant behaves in a proud, unpleasant way toward other people because they believe that they are more important than others.”

An arrogant person is pretty easy to spot…haughty carriage, superior tone of voice, rude, insulting, disrespectful, condescending, disdainful, etc. One thing an arrogant person does not possess is wisdom.

So there you have it, the many faces of arrogance. To those who choose to wear one of them…perhaps it’s time for a face-lift.

 

It’s Hard To Be Humble

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Just like patience, forgiveness, tolerance, and other virtues, humility needs a lot of work. It’s not always easy to put someone else’s feelings ahead of our own, or to stay quiet when we want to correct someone. It’s definitely difficult for some to acknowledge that the creator of the universe is deserving of a bowed knee, and an outstretched hand.

Here are a few quotes on humility:

True humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less. C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity

There is no respect for others without humility in one’s self. Henri Frederic Amie

It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels. Saint Augustine

Self praise is no recommendation.  Romanian (on flattery and praise) 

Be the change you wish to see in the world. Ghandi    

“A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong, which is but saying in other words that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.” Alexander Pope

…but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

And now for a little humble humor from Mac Davis and the Muppets

 

 

 

 

The Wise Old Owl

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“A wise old owl sat in an oak; the more he saw the less he spoke; the less he spoke the more he heard; why can’t we all be like this wise old bird?” Anonymous.

At this moment and in times to come our world needs a wealth of wisdom.

Owl I ask is that you give a hoot!

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intelligence vs Intelligence

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No, that’s not a typo in the title. I once wrote about a ninety-year old gent who likes to study logic. Well, this word, intelligence, keeps popping into my mind and makes me wonder just what is it…or what defines it?

Do I have the answer? No. But what I do know is that Intelligence supersedes intelligence. An i.q. test is said to measure one’s intelligence. An extended education obviously increases one’s intelligence. But, (in my opinion) Supernatural Intelligence is the source of both of these. Supernatural Intelligence brought the cosmos, and along with it, our world into existence. And, so, here are you and I.

We are all born with a certain degree of intelligence…some more, some less; and whether or not we have nurtured it by the above means dictates to what degree our i.q. measures.  I am on the lesser end of the scale, having been a high school drop-out with no desire to pursue higher education. Many members of my family have BA’s, MA’s and even PHD’s, for heaven’s sake; very intelligent people. That said, I have successfully managed to raise a fine family, own a business, and publish a book. How? By calling upon that Higher Intelligence, that Supernatural Intelligence which has always been, for me, only a prayer away.

“Don’t let your intelligence get in the way of intelligence” translates into “don’t let your intelligence get in the way of Intelligence.”

Do not be conformed to this world, but continuously be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God’s will is what is proper, pleasing, and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NSV)

..”continuously be transformed by the renewing of your minds…” It’s such an intelligent thing to do.