Before I get into the gist of this week’s dispatch, allow me to be clear on a critical issue: When I provide advice, both professionally and personally, I am speaking to me first. There is no condescension or judgment, just a call for something better. With that said, away we go.
Mark DeMoss, author of his enlightening book, “The Little Red Book of Wisdom,” was spot-on when he said, “To acquire information, much less wisdom, one’s lips cannot be moving." In other words, ask more questions, shut up and listen! Perhaps legendary talk show host and king of questions Larry King said it best, “I never learned anything while I was talking.”
Successful people leave clues, and it is our responsibility to find and utilize them! We should always welcome the opportunity to sit at the feet of a wise person akin to a baby pig at the state fair! I am not the source of wisdom and perhaps never will be. But I eagerly study wise people because I believe that folks who connect with the wise sage and clever newbie are destined for success.
The key to success is not assuming that we know the way. Instead, it is about humbleness and being like a sponge soaking up wisdom from every experience and person we encounter. While perusing one of my go-to websites www.atimetolaugh.org, which provides a broad collection of funny and inspirational stories, I came across a feature titled “Old Farmer’s Advice” and thought it would be a great way to conclude this narrative by sitting on the shoulders of this wise old farmer. So, listen, absorb and apply.
Wisdom from a wise old farmer
10) Don’t interfere with somethin' that ain't bothering you none.
9) Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
8) Don’t judge folks by their relatives.
7) If you get to thinkin' you're a person of influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.
6) Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
5) If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.
4) Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.
3) Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
2) The best sermons are lived, not preached.
1) Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
I will allow William A. Ward, a writer of inspirational short statements expressing a general truth or rule of conduct, to provide us with arguably the best words of wisdom: “Before you speak, listen. Before you write, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you invest, investigate. Before you criticize, wait. Before you pray, forgive. Before you quit, try. Before you retire, save. Before you die, give."
Harry Pappas Jr. CFP®
Managing Director-Investments
Master of Science Degree Personal Financial Planning
Certified Estate & Trust Specialist ™
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™
Pappas Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors
818 North Highway A1A, Ste 200
Ponte Vedra, Florida 32082
904-273-7955
harry.pappas@wellsfargoadvisors.com
The use of the CDFA™ designation does not permit Wells Fargo Advisors or its Financial Advisors to provide legal advice, nor is it meant to imply that the firm or its associates are acting as experts in this field.
Wells Fargo Advisors and its affiliates do not provide legal or tax advice. Any estate plan should be reviewed by an attorney who specializes in estate planning and is licensed to practice law in your state.
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The opinions expressed in this report are those of the author(s) and are subject to change. The material has been prepared or is distributed solely for information purposes and is not a solicitation or an offer to buy any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy.
