“The only difference between being smart and being wise – is everything.” – Bob Goff
The Love Does author tweeted this the other day and it stopped me in my tracks.
I’ve heard it put before that “a smart person will give you smart answers, but a wise person will ask you smart questions.”
We live in a world where most of the time it’s not cool or PC to ask the hard questions. But, we’re the ones that have to lay our heads down at night and know that we have made wise decisions.
We have to ask ourselves: Are we OK with just being smart? OR… Do we want wisdom? I use is to always ask myself, “How am I viewing the task in front of me?”
When it comes to disciplining our kids, are we trying to look smart, or are we searching for wisdom, showing them why they should do one thing and not the other?
With our jobs and careers, are we trying to prove to everyone that we’re smart by letting them know what we have accomplished, or are we seeking wisdom in how to make everything that we touch better?
In relationships, are we seeking respect by showing knowledge, or are we leading through wise choices?
Wise choices and decisions unify. Smart answers always divide. Without wisdom, simple, smart answers devalue the question.
Wisdom is wrapping medicine in something tasty because it tastes nasty all by itself. Smart is saying you need the medicine, so just shut up and take it. Both get the job done, but are drastically different.
In your life, are you seeking wisdom?
Talk less and listen more.
Ask the why instead of talking in circles.
Be humble.
Be thoughtful of others.
Most of all…
Be wise.
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