Luke 2:52 – Jesus matured in wisdom and years, and in favor with God and with people.

Gratitude Day 951

I often think that today, I am probably less than half as smart as I thought I was in my 20’s. Age and wisdom often grant us the ability to look back and see how naïve and silly we once were.

A few weeks ago, I was involved in a training session for a board of directors that I recently joined. This is an organization that I have been involved for decades. Years ago, I was very involved in this organization. Then, life happened. I stepped back as I felt there were other priorities. Earlier this spring, I was asked to go back on the board. The timely felt right. Yes, I could make it work. It is an opportunity to give back.

At the training session, I realized that I am now one of the old souls on the board. The last time I was on the board, I was one of those 20-year-olds that thought I really had life figured out. Knew a lot for my age. Always had some relevant piece of advice.

It was so interesting to be one of the old souls on the board and watch how the current 20-something people view life, their role on the board and what is important to them. Let me be clear. These are skilled women with lots of gifts and talents. Probably much like I was at their age. I really TRIED to refrain from doling out unsolicited advice and wisdom. Yet, I also saw how years of experience and maturing make a difference.

Yes, I want these young women to keep doing what they are doing. And they will. Yet, I also look at how a different season of my life affords me a perspective that is also helpful. Different. Significant.

I’m still figuring life out. I pray that I continue to grow and learn each and every day. Being around young women and grandchildren has a way to help keep perspective. Yet, I pray that these decades of experience also leave me with bits of wisdom that I have discovered. And so, I leave with you today some of those bits of wisdom I have garnered over the last number of decades. Wisdom that I pray my younger self would have valued and appreciated. Here are some of those bits of wisdom.

• Cultivate 12 people who love you because they are worth more than 12 million people who like you.
• Avoid making the same mistakes. Make new mistakes because you tried new things.
• Whatever you say before the word “but” probably isn’t important or necessary.
• Forgiveness is not what we do for others. It’s a gift we give ourselves.
• Be courteous and kind. It costs nothing. Do the little things because for someone, it will be a big thing. Return shopping carts to their desired place. Give things back in better shape than when you received them. Let someone go in front of you.
• Most often, neither side is right in an argument. Find a third side.
• Good leaders create more leaders, not more followers.
• Productivity is overrated. Find the things you love and do this as much as possible. (I struggle with this one daily.)
• If you have credit or a loan, pay it back as quickly as possible.
• Do not depend upon yourself to remember something. Write it down.
• We have two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as much as you speak.
• Learn to listen well. This will gain you more respect than what you say.
• Consistency is more important than hitting home runs. Doing the same small things day after day is more important than doing something big once in a blue moon.
• Detours in life are normal. Learn to embrace them.
• Want to know more about yourself? Reflect upon what irritates you with other people.
• How you handle your bad days is really more important than what you do on your good days.
• Say “thank you,” “please,” “I am sorry,” and “You are welcome” multiple times a day.
• Most of us overestimate what we can do in a day. Learn to cut the list before you build it.
• Thank and appreciate the teacher who changed your life.
• Learn to accept compliments with grace.
• Showing people how much you appreciate them is huge.
• Rather than focusing on exterior things, focus on how you can improve yourself. For example, rather than getting in shape, be the person who workouts regularly.
• Do the little things regularly. Read five pages a day, write a thank you note each day, spent 10 minutes doing something that is difficult and hard along with 10 minutes doing something you love. You’ll be amazed how these little things will impact you.
• Reflect upon the past, live in the moment and carefully anticipate the future.
• Remain curious your entire life.
• Grace is far more important and helpful than criticism.

I’m sure each of us has little bits of wisdom that we’d like to share with others. And you can! Find little ways to drop these into conversation. Share these wisdom tips through how you live your life. Continue to explore and discover more pieces of wisdom. This is the sign of a person who continues to grow and became the person God calls you to be.

What bit of wisdom would you add to this list? Leave it in the comments!

Blessings –

Dianne

Loving God – Thank you for all the people who have helped me discover these bits of wisdom and encouraged me in how I live life. May I live these bits of wisdom daily in my life. Open me up to continue to discover new bits of wisdom each day.

Amen.

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