When you hear the word wisdom, what comes to your mind? Hopefully, it’s not the image of an old man or woman with grey hair sitting on a chair or looking up at the sky. Being wise is way more than just being old or having a head full of grey hair.
Old age is often associated with wisdom because it is assumed that the older an individual gets the wiser they should become but in reality, that’s not always the case. Age is not a criterion for wisdom, it’s possible to be young and wise and it’s also possible to be old and foolish.
What is wisdom?
Wisdom is the ability to make good judgment and sound decisions. In other words, wisdom is knowing what to do, how to do and when to do.
Life is all about decisions. From the moment we wake up each day, we make decisions that influence our lives, like what to eat, how to act or react, what college to attend, who to befriend, who to marry, what business deals to sign, the list goes on. Applying wisdom to our daily life is necessary and should always our aim because it can improve our quality of life. Words from the wise:
Get wisdom it’s worth more than money; choose insight over income every time.-Proverbs 16:16
Our society has caused us to develop a flawed mentality about money that If ever given the opportunity to choose between wisdom and money the majority would choose money; Afterall money answers all things. Money does answer some things but definitely not all things.
This post was inspired by the book of Proverbs in the bible, it’s my daily go-to place for wisdom tips.
8 key things wise people do
1. Live in the moment and utilize every opportunity
Life only happens in the present moment. Sometimes we can get caught up in the past and anxious about the future that we forget to live in the moment. Wise people understand the power of NOW. They know that every blessing and opportunity that comes their way can only be received and embraced in the present moment. There are two major moment stealers:
The memories of the past
The uncertainty of the future
Both of which lead to worry, anxiety, stress, and an inability to enjoy life to it’s fullest. There is a very thin line between thinking or planning and worrying, we tend to cross this line most times. Living in the moment calls for intentionality both in thoughts, words, and actions, in order to prevent stagnancy.
Living in the moment became more real to me only about two years ago before that my life was out of balance, It’s amazing the amount of time we spend distracted. I came to the realization that distraction and success don’t go hand in hand. You can’t live a distracted life and expect success. Success requires focus and only those who appreciate the power of the present moment will experience it.
Success requires focus
2. Willing to obey and accept instructions
One of the ways to live a productive life is by accepting and obeying good instructions. Your quality of life is often determined by the type of instructions you choose to obey. Life is all about instructions both good and bad. You decide which side to be on, keeping in mind the consequence or reward that follows.
3. Control mouth and keep thoughtful silence
The mouth is one of the most important parts of our body because out of it comes words and those words shape and mold our world. Where you are today and where you will be tomorrow, is based on these three things:
The thoughts you think
The words you speak
The actions you take
Keeping thoughtful silence is better appreciated when you realize that your words could either build you up or destroy you. Our words are like seeds when planted they grow and bring forth that which was spoken. Words from the wise:
Word kill, words give life; they are either poision or fruit-you choose. -Proverbs 18:21
Words check: If what you speak is not what you want to see, change what you speak. Always remember that you have the power and right to choose your reality.
4. Store up and treasure knowledge
Learning is an essential part of life. The level of your growth in life is always tied to your willingness to learn. It’s the 21st century and learning has been made so much easier with technology. Learning is good for the brain, it helps your mind grow stronger.
Research shows that learning new skills stimulates neurons in the brain, which forms more neural pathways and allows electrical impulses to travel across them. In other words, learning helps to keep your brain and mind active. Learning has many other benefits including helping you fight boredom and becoming a more interesting and happy person.
5. Take responsibility and learn from mistakes
Mistakes are a part of life and not the end of life. They can help us grow if we choose to learn from them. Taking responsibility for our actions and learning from our mistakes, breaks the cycle of repetition. It takes maturity to forgive yourself, own up to your mistakes, and learn from them. Always remember that your mistakes don’t define you, it’s what you choose to do about them afterward that counts.
6. Cautious and avoids danger
There’re so many situations in life that could harm us mentally, physically, emotionally, and in other ways. Wisdom is choosing not to dive in nose deep into those things you know could potentially harm you. Be vigilant and always read the signs and between the lines. Don’t make life-changing decisions based on your feelings alone.
7. Listen to constructive criticism
Receiving constructive criticism is not always easy, but it’s important for growth. It gives you the opportunity to see yourself through the eyes of others, identify your weaknesses, and make progressive changes. I sometimes have a hard time dealing with constructive criticism, I constantly have to remind myself that my growth is more important than my ego. No one knows it all. If you struggle with receiving constructive criticism, get some more helpful tips here.
8. Have the fear of God
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.-Proverbs 9:10
Ultimately, genuine wisdom starts with a personal relationship with God. Fear used in this context is not being afraid of God but worshiping Him in reverential awe. There are some things you would never know until you come into a personal relationship with God through his son Jesus. The bible is full of wisdom and the holy spirit is always there to guide you into all truth. But first, you must desire to be wise and thereafter ask God to give you his wisdom. He is always ready to respond and grant your heart’s desire.
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