Lent Photo Challenge - Day 6 - WISE

For all of our students in the last semester of your high school or college years - this one is for you.  

Most of us seek to be educated from the time we are born, learning everything we can from those around us. At the tender age of 5 we have educational goals that are set for us and it seems to take an eternity till we finally complete 12th grade. (Shout out to our seniors of SHS ) Our secondary education (college) gives us a little more wiggle room in that we can choose where we are educated and what direction we want to go(our degree). Then finally, after all those years of being educated, you are ready to set the world on fire! 

Stepping out on your own can be exciting and scary. So I'm offering these words of advice that have been shared with me over the years. 

1. Don't forget that the best, and most important, education you received actually started at home. The example of your family and wise words that they shared came from a place of love and can offer you an education that is priceless. 

2. Knowledge is a wonderful thing to have, but it is useless if not coupled with the wisdom that only living can bring you. There will be some mistakes made, but learn from them. 

3. If you get lost somewhere along your path in life, just remember where you came from. And if you can't remember, then go home. There is no shame in hitting the reset button. 

4. Never stop learning; read, explore, try new things and above all listen. The knowledge we gain from listening to those around us is timeless and ageless. 

5. Be a good person, but don't waste precious time trying to prove it. You will have haters but their opinion is useless when you remember that you are God's treasured child. 

6. Find your people. The world is full of amazing and wonderful people, we thrive in tribes.  Alone is okay but only for a time of reflection and meditation. If you spend too much time alone you'll forget to grow.  

7. Read the Bible, pray, and worship God daily. Be careful not to get hung up on the words, dig deeper to understand the context and meaning. God is so great and merciful.  He will be your lifeline many times in your life so get to know Him!

8.  Weird is wonderful but only if you're willing to accept that not everyone will get it. (And that's okay). Don't be so easily offended. You can be you, but don't insist that everyone get it or like it. I don't get to tell you who to be, and you don't get to tell me how to feel.  It's just that simple. 

9. Complacent is the worst thing you can be. You can be pleased with what you've accomplished but humility will serve you far more than any accomplishment ever will. Sacrifice for someone else, but do it for the right reasons, not for the tax write-off or recognition. Give graciously and generously and remember your time is a gift. When they say you can't take it with you, they aren't kidding. 

10. Conflict is okay. That's how we grow. There will be times in your life when you are surrounded by conflict. The best ideas and greatest unions often come from conflict. We don't all think alike or react alike. In those situations not everyone needs to speak. Sometimes the greatest response is silence. It can speak volumes.  

"Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not putting it in the fruit salad."