Life Seen Through My Eyes

Originally posted 07/17/2011

Life Seen Through My Eyes    

     What is wisdom? Wisdom is something you supposedly acquire the older you get. It's not something that you gain early on. It takes time. Some wisdom is acquired easier than others. If you had to define wisdom, it would be the total sum of knowledge of life experiences a person has gained while walking on this Earth. Some people that I have met (or are related to) I would consider to be very wise and others that I would consider to just be wise asses.
     I started to think. What would be the wisdom that I could offer? What could I say to others that I have learned in my 30-something years? Would it be considered wise? I will let you decide because I have come up with a list. Here is what I have learned:

1. Tell your significant other, your kids, your family, and/or close friends that you love them because things can and will change in the blink of an eye.

2. The old saying "Never judge a book by it's cover" is true. What you "think" you know about a person or situation may not be anywhere close to what the reality is.

3. Never judge a person until you walk a mile in their shoes, orthotics, walker and/or roll in their wheelchair.

4. Doing what is right is not always what is easy.

5. Having convictions help to make you who you are.

6. God will ALWAYS give you more than you can handle because He wants to see how you handle the challenges. If you think you can't handle it, then He wants YOU to rely on HIM.

7. Compromise is great, but never compromise on:  your word, integrity, trust, and morals. If you do, you will become a shell of who you really are.

8. No matter how hard you think things are, someone always has it worse.

9. ALWAYS tell the truth even if it hurts and, believe me, the truth does hurt from time to time.

10. If you make a mistake, always apologize (and soon after the mistake). It will go a long in putting out the fire before the bridge is completely burned.

11. Life is hard. Everyone experiences hard ships. Get off your high horse like it's "only you" experiencing the hardships of life and do something about it.

12. Work for what you want. It will mean more to you.

13. There will be times in your life where you will HAVE to make the hard decision or the gut call. Get ready because it's coming.

14. Happiness is NOT defined by money or possessions.

15. Always be willing to learn more. School and books are not the only places you can learn.

16. Be a staunch advocate and fierce defender.

17. Always be nice to those who serve you or provide you a service. They will be the ones to help you out of a jam.

18. Whatever choice you make, stand by it.

19. Your word is your bond. Without it, you are nothing.

20. Value those that have gone before you because they are the ones who created the path that you are on.