This year especially, I'm striving toward acquiring more wisdom.
You can never have too much wisdom. It isn't something you inherit, like the color of your eyes or the shape of your face. You have to strive to gather wisdom for living out your days.
Operating in wisdom will bless you all your days.
You can get wisdom from hanging out with wise people and noticing how they behave and the choices they make. The best way (in my humble opinion) is to find wisdom in the Bible. That's also an easy way because you can read your Bible anytime, pretty much anywhere. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Proverbs 4:7
Some of the day-to-day wisdom I've operated on is pretty simple. For instance, my Aunt Kathryn used to tell me if I knew proper etiquette, I could go anywhere comfortably. She was correct. She built confidence in me when I was a young girl. One particular piece of wisdom she passed to me was to always remember the first rule of etiquette: never make anyone else uncomfortable. I've had to bite my tongue and look past (unintended) offenses to keep that rule. But, in the long run, it has made it easier to navigate through life.
I love to see wisdom shared on social media, so I've decided to share some of my favorite nuggets for living:
Never trust a person that hangs around the same people they talk about.
If you don't let the past die, then it won't let you live.
If you make a mistake, own up to it and apologize.
When someone shows you kindness, acknowledge it and say thank you.
The best revenge is no revenge. Move on. Be happy.
Holding on to anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.
Never question who God removes from your life. He heard the conversation when you weren't around.
If you can extend a kindness to someone, do it!
Keep a confidence, don't gossip.
When you see something beautiful in someone, tell them. It may take seconds to say, but for them, the encouragement could last a lifetime.
You'll find what you're looking for. If you're looking for a grievance, you'll come up with on. If you're looking for a blessing, you'll see one. If you're looking for the worst in someone, you'll find. If you're looking for the good in someone, you'll find that, too.
Expect nothing. Appreciate everything.
You have a choice every day. Choose to feel blessed. Choose to feel grateful. Choose to be thankful. Choose to find joy.
The Bible gives us a lot to think about concerning wisdom.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
I enjoy reading my Bible, and daily I read a chapter from Proverbs. There are 31 chapters, so it's easy to keep track of what you need to read. Honestly, some of the best verses in Proverbs tell you what not to do in Proverbs.
The point is, friends, get wisdom. This year has been a challenge for everyone, and the perspective you gain with wisdom is especially needed in 2020.
God bless, and write on!
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