By: Detri L. McGhee, CLU, ChFC
Socrates. Plato. Albert Einstein. King Solomon. Jesus Christ. All acclaimed by the world as among the wisest men to ever have lived.
Socrates: “The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing.”
Plato: (Father of Western Philosophy: Student of Socrates, Teacher of Aristotle.) “Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”
Aristotle: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”
Albert Einstein: “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.”
King Solomon: “Words kill. Words give life. They’re either poison or fruit. You choose.”
Jesus Christ: “I am The Way, The Truth and The Life. No one comes to the Father but by Me.”
Mankind from all walks of life, every nation, tongue and tribe, have benefitted from the words of the wise. Although while researching these men, I did find one I must disagree with before I get to my main point. Aristotle taught much around the principle insight he “discovered” — “Knowing yourself is the beginning of wisdom.” Uh…sorry, friends, but I have personally disproven that idea. The more I know MYSELF, the less content and happy I am. Certainly, the less impressed I am with me…and everyone else! I have found that knowing my God is far more comforting, blessed, enlightening, and profitable I consider the far superior wisdom on this topic to be given by the Apostle John: “This is eternal life, that they may know the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent.” Or, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10-12).
Today, I had the privilege of speaking with the widower of one of the wisest and most interesting authors of the 20th century. While I began to thumb through six of her books, I was hit with a thought I wish to share here. Sometimes we relegate our learning to either the very old supposedly wise, or else we seek
out the most current thoughts to hit the market. We would be wise to look at those in-between authors, too. I am rethinking the books from my l-o-n-g past, recalling those that helped me to become more the person I want to be. Among her books, I recommend My Blue Blanket: Choosing To Put It Away by Joyce Landorf Heatherley. It is valuable to both women and men. Dealing with significant choices we make in our lives, she offers insight on:
1. True Self: Choosing to accept responsibility for my past rather than trying to maintain the glittering (or macho) image I want others to see.
2. Escape Hatch: Choosing not to depend on the blue “security” blanket of destructive behaviors as the solution to my problems and hurts.
3. Power of Prayer: Choosing to pray for wings to soar rather than for crutches to lean upon
Joyce Landorf Heatherly faced some unassailable hardships of life, opening her heart and life in a deeply personal narrative of suffering, deep healing, and recovery.
Another book that deeply affected my attitude toward irritating and difficult people in my own life was Joyce’s book, IRREGULAR PEOPLE. Not only did it immediately bring immense understanding into my life, but understanding and applying the truths in this book have enabled me to understand the nature of my irregular person – why he/she behaves in that maddening way, then to developing a strategy for coping, on to handle negative emotions such as anger, frustration, and bitterness, and also to keep forgiveness and reconciliation active in my own life.
If your “irregular person” is breaking your heart with insensitivity and rejection, this book points the way to spiritual and emotional healing. Again, it is invaluable to both men and women.
Just a couple of quick thoughts to consider: 1. Think of the books/teachers who have meant the most to your positive maturity, and share those with others, especially those who may be fighting heavy battles that you have passed through more successfully because of the wisdom gained there. (By the way, quite probably every person you know or see or hear about IS fighting one or more Heavy Battles!)
2. Ask yourself and the most successful people you know, “WHO influenced you most positively/profitably in their walk of life so far? What were the most meaningful books?”
And, finally:
3. Don’t overlook the elderly in your life. The younger you are, the more likely you are to look down on the elderly. But, I can promise you that every one of them you take time to know can teach you something of great value. Perhaps it’s professional wisdom, or life lessons, or even “what NOT to do”! Share your wisdom/insights, but be sure you listen, also. I’ve been reminded several times in my life that God gave us TWO EARS and ONE MOUTH for a reason.
Blessings, unmet friends! I’d love to hear from you.
By: Detri McGhee – CLU, ChFC
Detri would love to hear from you! How do you develop your EI? Especially your thoughts on how to handle criticism, or problems you would like to get feedback on from others. Email: detrimcghee@gmail.com or Facebook: Criticism Management by Detri. Free outline for Criticism Management available at www.criticismmanagement.com.
April 18, 2025
