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Considering Wisdom #60
A weekly newsletter from BobBarnardnm.com
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Please share this with your friends so we can encourage others to consider wisdom.
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Thoughts on the intersection of Society/Culture, Productivity/You, and Wisdom/Knowledge.
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Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom – and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech. Benjamin Franklin
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As Thanksgiving Day came closer, there were fewer meetings as if we needed to be rested for Thanksgiving Day so we could overindulge. I drove to Phoenix to have dinner with Rob’s family, played a round of golf, and then watched a lot of football. He had about 20 people for Thanksgiving dinner, so there were many choices for food. Too many deserts to even bring out during the day. Tanya sent everyone home with leftovers. I drove home on Saturday and overslept on Sunday. So all-in-all, a great two weeks. The third week was a recovery week. I completed my Physical therapy for now.
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Not being able to govern events, I manage myself. Michel de Montaigne
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One of the biggest illusions of life is that we can control the events around us. For example, we drive in our traffic lane, assuming the drivers on either side of us will stay in their lane, but we don't control what they do. They may swerve into our lane because they see something in the road. We are not in control.
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We can't control any of the events around us—wars in the middle east, global warming, pandemics, obesity in our population, etc. The only thing we can control or govern is ourselves.
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Montaigne states clearly that the quote above gives us a glimpse of how to live successfully. We must govern ourselves. But this is easier said than done.
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Governing myself means controlling how I react or respond to what is happening. If someone throws a punch at me, I dodge so I am not hit. If I hear a siren, I look to see where it is coming from to get out of the way. But the most crucial thing I control is my emotions. I don't have to hate or live in fear; I can be grateful for what I have and who I am.
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How do we learn this control? First, we realize there are few things I have control over other than my own decisions. I am responsible for making good decisions. To make good decisions, you must start thinking more deeply and clearly about your choices and the multiple layers of consequences that ripple from each one.
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Secondly, we must learn to pause and reflect on our daily lives, searching for a better way to live so we don't repeat our mistakes. You can wait and reflect before you decide, especially before you respond to a person or situation, and at the end of each day.
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Take a break during your day and do a mindfulness meditation. It can be as short or long as you need. I do one whenever I feel frustrated, especially with banks and financial institutions.
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In summary, the only thing we can control is ourselves. We can't control the outcome of an election, but we should vote. We can't control someone's anger or activities; we can only control our response to them. So, take the time to learn how to control yourself, think better, and make better decisions.
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1. Do I control myself, or does the outside world control me?
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2. Do I reflect on the day to consider what I could have done better?
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3. Do I control my emotional responses?
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1. Start a journal and list your frustrations and then reflect on why they were frustrations.
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2. Consider the emotions during your day and how to control them.
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3. Consider how you make small, medium, and significant decisions.
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