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Wisdom

Life is an interconnected series of events that give us the experience and raw materials to develop knowledge and intuition. Too often, we miss the meaning of the moment, perhaps never to encounter it in quite the same way again. And when this happens, both the reward of explored thought and the subsequent wisdom that could have been gained by it is lost.

Acquiring wisdom isn't easy. It requires sincere reflection and dogged determination. To put it more bluntly, it takes time and effort - which is probably the reason most people don't bother to make the pursuit of wisdom a personal goal. But we admire the great thinkers who do. And we value the insights they share with us that help us understand ourselves and make sense out of the world in which we live - insights such as these:

"The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same." - Carlos Castaneda

"The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are." - C.S. Lewis

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Gandhi

"Democracy does not guarantee equality of conditions - it only guarantees equality of opportunity." - Irving Kristol

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

You will be taken on a journey through these articles - to a place where you are prompted to open your eyes to what you need to read, instead of what you may want to read. Keep an open mind. Allow yourself to consider the thought-provoking ideas... and then come to your own conclusions.

Articles

If you haven't learned to protect yourself from yourself, then this article is a "must read."
Learning from Saddam: Avoiding the Big Mistake

It is, perhaps, human nature to want to reflect on the past. But reflection and re-living are two entirely different things, of course. As you read the article below, ask yourself if you are preparing for what lies ahead.
The Door to the Past: Hidden Wisdom

Take a provocative look at the life of a man who embraced living. He recognized that comprehending the world around him was less important than understanding himself. It will give you pause for thought.
A Wisdom-Filled Self-Eulogy: With Age Comes Wisdom

Life's basic principles do not change. Over time, they provide fodder for intellectuals of every age. What does change is the way in which philosophers and men of science attempt to restrict those underpinning principles within the confines of their own beliefs. Want to know more? Read this:
The Human Machine, Part I: Human Nature

What you believe about consequences, emotions, and personal responsibility determine your perception of the events that surround you. In the article below, find out who is really in charge of your personal universe.
The Human Machine, Part II: Transference

This extraordinary article is a heartfelt look at what happens when life's events take precedence over personal priorities.
Left to Wonder: The To Do List

What could you accomplish if you gave your mind free reign to create your future? Could you alter the events in your life to affect a new destiny? Engage your mind in a complex discourse on the subject in this intriguing series of articles.
Abstract Phenomenon in Our Lives, Part I: The Power of the Mind, and
Abstract Phenomenon in Our Lives, Part II: Mind Power

There is a point at which the desire for a goal becomes an obsession. When that line is crossed, something serious could happen. Has it already happened to you? Find out in this fascinating piece titled
Desire and Detachment: Inspirational Thoughts

Are you ready for what lies ahead of you? Delve into this commentary on looking ahead, preparing for every eventuality and making allowances for unforeseen events.
A Tale of Two Winners: Ways to Invest Money

Making it a habit to under-promise and over-deliver is a can't-miss formula for success.
How Do You Commit a Geragos?

Lifelong learning brings a myriad of rewards. One of those rewards is the time-saving, stress-reducing knack you develop for transferring knowledge from one experience to another.
Knowledge Redeployment: Important Life Lessons

Learning can come from many sources, even those with whom you do not agree. When you keep an open mind, you have the potential to grow both personally and professionally.
Learning from Everyone: A Learning Strategy

My, how time does fly. It's hard to believe that it's been nearly twenty-five years since my first and only appearance on ABC News Nightline. I must confess that my memories of that show do not bring tears of joy to my eyes. Tears, maybe ... but joy? Not so much.
Ted Koppel and the False Premise, Part I: ABC News Nightline

One of the games people love to play is to use their personal opinions as premises. Oftentimes, what this really means is that they use their conclusions as premises!
Ted Koppel and the False Premise, Part II: Why Play Games

A good technical definition of common sense is "sound judgment not based on specialized knowledge." In other words, you don't need to be a Ph.D. to exercise common sense. It's a trait you develop through purposeful awareness and habit.
Common Sense

Interestingly, good advertising and good salesmanship use selective perception as a tool to try to guide consumers' decisions. If successful, it can result in sales, to be sure. But it also can result in dissatisfied customers if such customers later believe they were misled.
Beware False Perceptions... and Selective Perception

A good motto to live by is: Live every moment as though the whole world were watching and listening. Actions have consequences — sometimes unintended ones.
Above All, Discretion: Actions Have Consequences

Do yourself a favor and make it a point to abide by Mario Puzo's rules. If you fail to do so, don't be surprised if ... one fine day ... some of the goodfellas drop around to pay you a visit. And if that should happen, just remember that I tried to warn you.
Mario Puzo and Me

"Touching all the bases" is an appropriate metaphor that may well have its roots in the tragic tale of Fred Merkle's "bonehead" play nearly a century ago.
Touching All the Bases: Fred Merkle

Why does the American Medical Association, continue to shoot down one medical messenger after another in an effort to repress the hated, profit-killing truth and protect the status quo?
The Real Enemy: Status Quo

Throughout your life, you are going to be criticized — and sometimes slandered and lied about — so best you learn not to allow it to throw you into a state of emotional turmoil when it occurs. Take heart by reminding yourself that we are all fair game, and that it happens to high-profile people all the time.
Everyone Is Fair Game

I'm much more rigid than most people when it comes to taking everything with a proverbial grain of salt. My motto is: Assume nothing. If your mother says she loves you, check it out! Nevertheless, on occasion I still find myself making assumptions when I have no sound reason for doing so.
Whom to Believe?: Making Assumptions

Dr. Andrew Weil is back with another bestseller, Healthy Aging. Weil sees aging as "a continuous and necessary process of change that begins at conception." He further explains the importance of aging gracefully — learning "how to live in appropriate ways in order to maximize health and happiness."
Aging Gracefully

What seems to be chaos is also order ... and vice versa. As chaos theory tries to explain, what we think of as order ... as perfection ... as absolute ... is really just patterns. We look for patterns in sports, in the stock market, in business cycles.
Chaos Theory and You

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