and a little personal nostalgia…
| Most of you know by now, that as the writer of the emails you receive and our monthly newsletter the inkdot, I like lists! And I like to read and write things that are inspiring and real and teach important truths. Wisdom that comes from experience is valuable. When we can learn important lessons without actually having the experience, thatās even better! Ā Todayās words of wisdom come from an old hillbilly. It might be thought that a hillbilly is unlearned and crass, untaught and illiterate. The definition I found, says a hillbilly is a derogatory term for an unsophisticated country person living in the southern Appalachian area of the USA. Youāve probably heard the expression āA hick from the sticks?ā A hick would be another name for a hillbilly. Ā Have you ever met a hillbilly? My family roots are hillbillies. They are interesting folks! I have found them to be quite intelligent and wise in many ways I know nothing about. Iāve been told the stories about my family who were considered hillbillies and hicks. They made an impact in my world, as I know it, in many ways. Ā One of the things I love about hillbillies is the music inside their souls! It is toe tappinā, God fearing, and downright beautiful! Their music has a way of getting inside of us and makes the world a better place.Ā What I miss about hillbilly music, is much less about the skill of the artist, but that they are realĀ people with roots to the land, the communities, and the stories they sing about. TheĀ songs and phrases that still resonate in my mind, as I recall my father sharing them while we cruised in his old Chevy Truck on our way to our fishing adventures. Ā May these timeless idioms and this special song transport you back to a moment in your own life when simplicity prevailed, love was abundant, compassion ran deep, kind words were spoken, and everything else was left up to God. “Words that soak into your ears are whispered, not yelled.” When you raise your voice, people tune out. Trying to forcefully implant facts into someone’s mind won’t miraculously change their perspective. Often, those who shout the loudest are the most insecure. Speak with a gentle tone, but take bold actions. Ā “If you don’t take the time to do it right, you’ll find the time to do it twice.”Ā This is a good reminder that rushing through something might save you time right now, but it’ll ultimately take you more time to do it over if there are problems. Saving time is great when it doesn’t come at a cost, but when you run the risk of making mistakes by taking the shortest route you’re not really saving time at all. Ā “When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.” Choose your companions wisely and be mindful of who you engage with. Engaging in arguments or debates with foolish individuals only drags you down to their level. Regardless of the outcome, you end up compromising your own integrity, while the fool takes pleasure in recruiting another member to their misguided club. Ā “Borrowing trouble from the future doesn’t deplete the supply.” Donāt borrow troubleĀ is an idiom that means donāt worry about something before it is time to worry about it. The idea is that worrying does not solve anything, and we often worry about things that never happen. Worrying about something that never happens wastes time and energy and distracts us from things that should command our attention today. There will be plenty of trouble to worry about on another day. Ā “Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.” This saying essentially conveys the notion that life is unpredictable. Circumstances, will at times, aligning in our favor and other times working against us. Ā “Good judgement comes from experience, and most of that comes from bad judgement.”Ā In life, we all make mistakes and bad decisions. But it is through these experiences that we truly learn and grow. Each misstep becomes a valuable lesson, providing us with the wisdom to make better choices in the future. In essence, it is the accumulation of these life experiences that shape our ability to exercise good judgment. Ā “You can’t unsay a cruel word.”Ā Choose your words wisely, for once they are spoken, they cannot be unsaid. Like an indelible image etched in our minds, the impact of a mis-spoken word lingers, unable to be erased. As the ancient proverb states, “The tongue holds the power of life and death, and those who cherish it shall taste its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 Ā “If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around.” This serves as a poignant reminder that when pride, confidence, and self-importance begin to dictate our lives, it is crucial to take a step back, face ourselves in the mirror, and acknowledge that we are the primary source of trouble we encounter each day. In succumbing to hubris, we tend to overestimate our abilities, knowledge, importance, and chances of success, ultimately forfeiting the virtue of humility. Grandpa Tell Me bout The Good Ole Days https://youtu.be/K2O8iEkh5vw? |
