I felt anxious the other day only to find out I was on my fifth cup of coffee. I felt despondent and sluggish the other day only to find out it was past my bedtime. I felt angry the other day when a sem-trailer cut me off on the freeway. Later, I realized I may have been in his blind spot and he had no idea I was back there. It reminded me I have blind spots every day.
It’s a good thing I can remember my emotions and insights are fickle.
Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.
Proverbs 28:26
Insights change along with emotions and our maturity.
- I once thought I could grow up to be an astronaut, artist, and a paramedic all at once
- I once thought my little sisters were annoying. Then we grew up and I discovered they were mature, young women with amazing talents and wisdom.
- I used to think my parents could learn a thing or two from me until I got married and had kids of my own. It’s amazing how many people without kids are parenting experts until they have kids!
One of the most liberating conclusions I ever had was that I am a fool… and so are you! We all are if we are not careful.
- We change
- Our past experiences affect our future perceptions
- Our emotions are fickle
- Chronic negative emotions turn into bad attitudes that are unhelpful, even harmful.
- We are affected by groupthink
- We can be manipulated by the media, politicians, and anyone with charisma
So how do you get wisdom? Personally, I’ve found the book of Proverbs to be very helpful. If you are not a Bible reader, seek out books of wisdom or read biographies of people you admire and respect. See what has guided them. Seek out old adages, such as Ben Franklin’s adages.
Wisdom does not change with the times or our emotions. Certain bedrock truths like treating everyone the way you want to be treated and haste makes waste, will guide us when we feel like chucking it all in and acting like a selfish jerk.
