List: What wisdom has helped you the most in life?
I thought I'd share a little list today of codified wisdom.
It's based on a question I get from time to time: What wisdom has helped you the most in life?
Let's dive in...
Fiscal Responsibility is a Game-Changer:
Get your financial house together. It's not just about money; it's about freedom and having margin in your life. Start saving and investing like your future depends on it—because it does. In the words of one financial guru: live like no other so you can live like no other.
Education (Mostly) Takes Place After You Graduate:
Real learning happens when you're out there getting your hands dirty. Get out of your comfort zone and seek experiences that challenge your mind. Don’t just read and regurgitate. Experiment and immerse yourself in what grabs your curiosity. You’ll become a student and a teacher.
Choose a Spouse Who Challenges and Complements You:
Don't settle. Period. Find someone who pushes you to be better and calls you out on your bullshit. Your partner in crime should be your rock, your biggest cheerleader, and your toughest critic all rolled into one.
Maybe’s are No’s Every Single Time:
Indecision is a waste of time. Make a choice and own it. That's how you move forward in this crazy world. Trust your gut, make a decision, and roll with it. You'll thank yourself later. Sitting on the fence gets you nowhere.
Compartmentalizing Life Works in the Short-term but Kills You in the Long Run:
Life's messy, and that's the beauty of it. Stop trying to separate everything into neat little boxes. Bring a bit of order to the chaos, and you'll find meaning in the madness. You’ll also quickly figure out what integrity looks like from the inside out.
Leave People and Places Better Off Than How You Found Them:
The Boy Scouts taught me this one. Be a force for good in this world. Be present and considerate. Lift others up whenever you can and clean up after yourself. You'll end up leaving a lasting impact wherever you go.
Embrace Necessary Endings:
Endings suck, but they're part of the journey for all of us. Let go of what's holding you back and make room for what's meant to be. Trust that every ending is a new beginning in disguise. Henry Cloud has a great book on this one.
The Second-Half of Life is a Real Thing:
Aging isn't the end—it's just the beginning of a new chapter. Embrace the wrinkles and the wisdom that comes with them. Life only gets better as you embrace the journey and live in the present. We never retire from who we are and the contribution we are called to make.
Your Wounds are Your Greatest Gifts:
Your scars tell a story, and it's a story of resilience and grit. Embrace your flaws and wear them like a badge of honor. Your wounds are proof that you've survived and found a way to thrive. As that old poet from the last century said, they’re how the light gets in.
Writing (Just Like Saltwater) Heals in All Its Forms:
Grab a pen and let it all out. Writing isn't just words on a page; it's therapy for the soul. Journaling, blogging, and writing poetry all remove the obsession. Pour your heart out onto the page and watch as your words become a source of healing and help.
Kindness is Worth It:
In a world full of takers, be the one who spreads love and kicks negativity to the curb. A little kindness goes a long way—be the light in someone else's darkness. Give and see what happens. To quote another patron saint of mine, if you want to be holy, be kind.
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I don't know which bit of wisdom resonated with you the most today, but I'd encourage you to revisit it. Journal about it. Meditate on it. Put it in your own words. And, hide that little nugget of wisdom in your heart, so you can live differently.
Steve Knox | Somewhere between Atlanta and Birmingham
\\\ Thanks as always for reading! Please forward or share this with your circle of amigos. Be honest. Be you.