“Wait for the wisest of all counselors, Time.” Pericles. You’ve heard it, maybe even said it several times – time fixes, changes, improves or “whatever” everything. Yes, no, and maybe. If you don’t use time wisely you will tend to waste it. I’m not implying that sitting on your front porch daydreaming is a waste of time or that learning a new skill that you may never use is stupid. Time is a resource and nothing more. You use it to help you achieve your dreams, goals, desires, plans or you waste it moment by moment day by day, or even year by year. I know – I am guilty. Have you ever stuck with something longer than you should have; a project, goal, or even a relationship? In hindsight have you ever realized that you could have done something in your past faster or easier?
“Don’t be angry because you can’t make others as you wish them to be, but because you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.” Thomas a Kempis. The future for each of us is a combination of the people who come into our life, how we handle or manage circumstances, the risks we take, how we choose to define our purpose, passion, and life mission to mention just a few. All development sooner or later is self-development. You can take classes, attend seminars and read tons of books but if you don’t’ integrate the learning into your lifestyle, actions, decisions, and behavior – what was the purpose of the learning? No one’s job is to change you regardless of whether you are a spouse, child, employee, or just a good friend. And let me also say that your job is not to change or fix others. Over the years I have observed people keeping themselves locked in frustration, disappointment, and even anger because someone would not adjust, adapt or change to their expectations and often even to their demands. Sorry folks our job in life is not to improve others but to work on self-improvement. This doesn’t mean or imply we can’t contribute in a positive way to others’ behavior and learning as long as we don’t establish the guidelines, parameters, or rules that they need to follow to change or improve. We are all broken in some way. None of us are perfect or ever will be. Life is about accepting others for who they are. If they are in your life and if you can’t accept them, maybe it’s time to get them out of your life or – maybe it’s time to re-evaluate your self-expectations or rules for treating others.
“Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes.” Emerson. Mark Twain once said we need to stop calling it common sense. This implies that a lot of people have it. We need to start calling it uncommon sense. Exactly what is common sense? Definition – “Good sense and sound judgment in a practical matter.” Well, that helps! Let me give it my interpretation – It’s taking action or making decisions using a combination of experience, education, desire, wisdom, and the willingness to accept consequences. Now, I must admit that Emerson was a lot smarter than I will ever be but one thing life has been trying to teach me for many years is that when I don’t bring common sense ‘as I defined it’ to life’s challenges and opportunities more than likely I will end “whatever the situation was” with disappointment, frustration, and even failure. As I look back over the years I have to wonder where did some of the common sense I have, come from and I can tell you with a great deal of humility that most of it came after I made many mistakes, failed, or failed to act on an opportunity trusting God, myself and my heart. I have learned more from everyday people around the world who have crossed my path than those who were filled with ego, arrogance, a lack of compassion, and self-aggrandizement. How about you?