Words of Wisdom, Email Newsletter
Plant seeds of wisdom today
Take the next 27 or so breaths slowly and reflect deeply on your life. I hope these words help you grow in you the most valuable treasure in life: wisdom. Wisdom grows imperceptibly but flourishes like a mighty oak, standing the test of time.
WoW 142: On directions and destinations
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Here’s a maxim to remember: purpose dictates direction; perseverance determines destination.
If you lack purpose, if you don’t have clear vision, you will be confused and it will lead to chaos.
Not only will confusion lead to chaos, but the higher the purpose, the clearer the direction.
The more you seek to flourish in life through sacrificial generosity, the more likely you are to have joy.
The higher the purpose, the more perseverance is required.
Shun quick fixes and shortcuts. Don’t take the easy way. Develop patience, resilience, and persevere towards your target of the highest purpose possible.
Remember: purpose dictates direction; perseverance determines destination.
Quotes
“Champions don’t create the standards of excellence. The standards of excellence create champions.”
Shane Parrish, Clear Thinking
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Theodore Roosevelt, in a speech he gave in Paris in 1910. Full speech here.
Questions
What is the highest purpose I can pursue?
How can I raise the standard to excellence?
Is my purpose pure?
How can I be more generous?
If I’m choosing to criticize, what meaningful action can I take instead?
(Use these questions as journal prompts and to guide your prayers this week.)
Endnote
Now, armed with purpose and perseverance, step into your arena of life – embrace your challenges, raise your standards, and dare greatly in pursuit of your highest calling.
Live wisely,
Josh
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