Wisdom can be found everywhere.
The question is…are you looking for it?

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Proverbs 4:7 KJV

What we believe to be true and “The Truth”… ain’t always the same.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5 KJV

I messed up. Now What?
Psalm 51 has a solid plan. Here is the condensed version.

Acknowledge – All change starts with understanding and believing you are wrong.

Desire – Move from head to heart so you can do something about it, the right way.

Purge – Knowing and doing are two different things. Remove. Repent.

Create – Removal always leaves a place for something new.

Restore – Make amends with others and yourself. Let it go.

Teach – You have a story, share it. It helps you as well as others.

Resist the temptation to just “pay the fine” and move on. Real life altering peace and freedom comes from within. The key to the whole process is desire, it’s always a heart matter.

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it : thou delightest not in burnt offering. [17] The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Psalm 51:16-17 KJV

I was having lunch with my friend Bret, and he told me about the 7-38-55 rule of communication. Studies have shown that the effectiveness of our communication falls into three buckets, each of which carries a different weight.

7% – Verbal
38% – Tone
55% – Body Language

Sadly, I proved this rule the same day I met Bret for lunch.

I was paying bills on Friday around noon, trying to get out of the office to go to lunch, and I noticed one of our vendors had increased pricing without notifying us. That prompted me to fire off a quick email to accounts receivable and the owner. The heading read “Price Increase??” and the body was short and direct.

An apologetic reply hit my inbox within a few minutes. AR had made a mistake and they were fixing it shortly. As I read the reply… I also read my initial email again. That’s when I realized I had made a huge mistake. My raw email taken as written, without tone or expression, was accusatory and mean. Immediately I emailed an apology and called the person in AR so they could hear me say… I’m sorry.

Remember 7-38-55.
Communication is king.
Communication is key.
Guard your words and your keyboard.
Say what you intend to say.

I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

Psalm 39:1 KJV

The first seven verses of Psalm 37 show us the right way to do just about anything. Successful businesses and great relationships don’t happen by accident.

1. Fret Not – Fear is the barrier that stops most. Overcoming the fear and stepping out puts you in the game.

2. Trust – There will be bumps in the road. Believe you made the right decision and keep moving.

3. Delight – Emotional involvement, loving what you are doing, puts fuel in the tank. It’s the glue that holds it all together.

4. Commit – DO THE WORK. Sunshine or rain, sickness or health, good or bad…. Just keep doing the work.

5. Rest – This doesn’t mean stop and sit on your hands. It means…Don’t Stress. Be patient and rest assured; the compounding of the investment will pay off.

There are no guarantees or magic formulas; but taking the right road will increase your chances of success. 😉

A sincere compliment shows appreciation. 
Anything more shows insecurity and selfishness.

A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

Proverbs 29:5 KJV

Given a choice between rich and poor… everyone chooses rich.
Given the choice between right and wrong… it’s a mixed bag.

Don’t be duped into thinking rich is right.
Character is earned, never bought.

Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

Proverbs 28:6 KJV

Freedom of religion.
Freedom to choose.
Freedom to build.
Freedom to live.

All pale in comparison to the freedom of forgiveness.

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Psalm 32:1 KJV

The things we own will belong to someone else one day.
Ownership with a time limit is called stewardship.

The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Psalm 24:1 KJV