A life within limits operates off of clear values, exhibits justice, a has the discernment to know and do what’s right.
This blog post republishes my weekday LinkedIn posts that appeared June 14 through June 19, 2021. The “Note to my younger self” was submitted with the #TrendingOnLinkedIn hashtag.
The bitter is sweet!
Can current circumstances impact my outlook for the future? That is, I project into the future what I’m currently experiencing.
For example, if “right now” is good I tend to think the future will also be pleasant.
What’s the danger here? I make overly optimistic or overly pessimistic predictions based on right now without considering other factors. Worse yet, at times I’m fatalistic and give up. There’s no growth, so I stay stuck right where I am.
One way out is to adopt a growth mindset. Learn from the bitter right now so I don’t become permanently bitter. Find a way forward. In so doing the bitter becomes sweet.
I believe the bitterness of present circumstances becomes sweet by my intentional choice!
Proverbs 27.7 “…to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.” When you’re full you have no desire for the sweet. But, when you’re hungry almost anything is good! Proverbs 27.7, my paraphrase.
How can I avoid the tyranny of the now? See https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dale-young-proverbs-for-professionals_leadership-preceptdrivengrowth-activity-6809079040935239680-aOHN
Tell me what I want to hear!
Who do I allow to influence me? There are lots of choices on social media alone. What criteria do I use to evaluate influencers?
I believe discernment is a critical trait to develop. Otherwise, I will struggle to separate true from false in what I am hearing and seeing from influencers.
Leaders who believe lies and conspiracies do so because they lack a discerning character. Worse yet, that poor character compounds by attracting influencers who are equally as perverse.
Those perverse influencers tell the leader what he/she wants to hear.
So, don’t be that undiscerning leader! Consider motives. Learn to think critically. Guard your character.
Proverbs 29.12 warns that leaders who readily believe lies find themselves surrounded by advisors who are equally lacking in character! Don’t be that leader!
As a leader I cannot hope that my poor character will be neutralized by those around me. Why? Because my lack of discernment multiplies through the poor character of the advisors I attract.
What’s it worth to me?
Stubbornness is an expensive habit!
How so? Because eventually stubbornness catches up with me. I may remain unbowed for a time, but I don’t completely control life outcomes.
Pride, stubbornness, and arrogance may work in the short run. However, over time a refusal to listen puts me in greater danger of life problems.
So, I should ask myself “What’s it worth to me?” to ignore repeated warnings about my lifestyle.
How do you avoid becoming incurably stubborn?
Proverbs 29.1 is a warning about the dangers of repeatedly refusing to accept correction. It points out how stubbornness is destructive.
Life within limits
A productive, sustainable life is one of balance. How so? By realizing the importance of natural cycles. Especially in regard to balancing work and rest.
Similarly, I acknowledge the need to balance the material and the spiritual. Life within limits doesn’t work constantly. Moreover, that life recognizes the dangers of materialism.
What helps you keep your life in balance?
Proverbs 30.7-9 is an example of balance. It’s a prayer by Agur. He prays for a daily portion to avoid grinding poverty. Also, he asks to be free from excessive wealth that leads to entitlement.
Life within limits avoids extremes and excesses. Moreover, it recognizes that ultimate wealth is spiritual, thus eternal. Finally, life within limits realizes that everything I have is a divine gift.
Doing right!
What did your mom tell you? Stand up for what’s right! Also, to make decisions based on what’s just and fair.
Conversely, don’t make perverse choices. Ok, mom!
Fact is, that’s good advice. I pattern my life after a standard that recognizes doing right and deciding appropriately.
The leadership lessons here are:
1). Justice involves getting input from multiple sources, including those often ignored, so all voices are heard.
2). Have the courage to make a case when you see a serious need.
So, today’s question is: Are you doing what your mom told you to do?
Proverbs 31.8-9 is a mother-son conversation. The child is soon to be, or already is, in a position of leadership. She challenges him to speak for the voiceless and to form decisions with integrity.
Also, don’t waste your credibility through a careless lifestyle, Proverbs 31.3-7. Now, that’s some timeless advice!
Note to my younger self!
Ah, hindsight. How perfect! Well, if not perfect, it’s at least informed by the insight of experience.
So, looking back at age 70, what would I say to my younger self? Here’s a short note.
1). BEGIN WITH WHO.
Self-awareness is intentional. Start early to understand my strengths and weaknesses.
Accept that it’s Ok to be an introvert. And, to be analytical. Don’t waste time chasing early career paths that don’t match who I am because I’m trying to be someone else!
2). GROW MY WHO.
Personal growth is intentional. Start early to build capacity in important areas, such as discernment, critical thinking, sense making, and good judgment.
Accept that it’s Ok to be deliberative. See connections, especially between my spiritual life and the selection of a career path where I can flourish given my WHO.
3). ALLOW MY WHY TO EMERGE.
I don’t need to know my ultimate life purpose at age 22! In fact, if I’m growing my WHO — my character, while developing my professional capacity, It’s reasonable (to me) that my WHY could change somewhat across a 50-or-so year career.
Accept that it’s Ok to try and fail!
In short, I’d give myself some slack but be more reflective and intentional about growth.
Proverbs 4.18 teaches that life purpose emerges, over time, to someone with integrity. Thus, when I nurture my WHO, my WHY emerges like “the shining light” as I move toward what I’m being prepared to accomplish.
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