Right is not always as clear as we think. Proverbs 12:15 says that “the way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkened unto counsel is wise.” Just because someone speaks with confidence or has power does not mean he has wisdom, but how we respond is crucial. A foolish person is 'quick' to condemn what they do not understand. A wise person is 'slow' to condemn what he does understand. Be mindful that your actions may be viewed as foolish to those you judge as foolish. Be patient and work with those that oppose you or your views.
Take long-term solutions over short-term benefits. Teach patience and the wisdom of looking at the long-term results our actions will produce. For example, many corporations and CEOs will cut wages and expenses to increase short-term profits to help the stock price and the value of their stock options. In the long term, however, they sacrifice the benefits and wages of their employees, the very people that need to make strong wages to buy their products in the future. For example, Henry Ford was thought a fool by his corporate peers when he increased the daily wage of his factory workers to a previously unheard of $5.00 per day.
Try to make an enemy into a friend. We fear and hate what we do not understand. Never judge someone unless you have walked in his shoes. Criticisms and judgment are easy but can’t reflect the warmth and courage of human depth, fail to produce solutions and build walls between people and ideas. Being intelligent does not always bring wisdom, but the heart and mind must work together so that the hands of humanity can build. According to “The Power of Habit”, what you do every day matters more than what you do every once in a while. Change does not always happen in an explosion of inspiration, but in a gradual and ongoing effort that reveals the better part of our nature. As a nation and as a generation, we should give thanks for the wonderful world that has been our friend. We must pass on this favor to the next generations—but that requires change. Real changes in how we think, act and share the wisdom that we have learned. Together, we can work to write our finest chapter. •••
boom | November & december 2013
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