The conversation was not long. I was sitting lounging on a leather sofa after reading a profound book, a friend was on the phone standing in front of his house. Distance did not seem to matter; the conversation was about matters of the heart. I called to say thank-you for the recommendation and the conversation took off. A simple remark, yet the impact of his words continue long beyond the good-byes.
What we read, who we hang out with, and what we discuss should be clear, simple, and straight forward, right? If our conversation was any example, the answer is an emphatic no!
We both reacted to the book. The quick read would normally indicate a simple, big print, flash of a book. This was nothing like that. Sure, the words were simple and easy to understand. The thoughts; well, the thoughts were incredibly profound and one that I had never discovered in a shared reading with the author. As we talked about the book, a new thought emerged as a question. The question in turned triggered a lot more questions and thoughts. My mind has been buzzing in the days since. Were they just simple words? Yes; no; both.
The email came with a proposal. It was simple, straight forward, and direct. All I needed to do in response was confirm the dates. Yes, but there were things I thought might make it even stronger. My response confirmed a date and added my bits. His response was direct. “Two heads are wiser than one.”
Life is a challenge that confuses even the strongest, wisest, and those with the most cunning. Trying to negotiate the challenges day to day while learning from what life gives you is not the best way to get the most out of life. There is a way that is simple and direct. Remember, wisdom is defined by the end destination and how one lives life along the way.
In other words, “Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.” (Proverbs 13.20)
