A friend of mine liked this statement so much he had it made into a plaque and put it
over his desk, people started asking which type of person they were.
The thing is though that we learn something from everybody we meet offline or online.
Some people will test you.
Some will use you.
Some will teach you.
Some will learn from you.
The most important ones will bring out the best in you.
The best ones are not always obvious the first time you meet them, many of those people will be a little reticent at first.
They need to know that you are worth their time and effort.
Often that'll only become clear to them after they have chatted with you for a while.
When you consider this, it becomes clear that they have probably attempted to inspire people in the past who didn't run with their assistance.
This lack of action can be quite disheartening for someone trying to help.
Nothing can take the place of action, even if it's in the wrong direction.
You can always turn around and head the other way, but if you're not moving then turning around doesn't gain anything.
Even dead fish float downstream.
Something I found BI (Before the Internet) and carried around in my notebook for years is this:-
He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool...shun him.
He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is a child...teach him.
He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep...awaken him.
He who knows, and knows that he knows, is wise...follow him.
This is variously attributed to the Chinese, the Persians, Richard Branson, Confucius and the Arabs.
I don’t remember where I found it, but I do know that it has guided me well.
You won’t find many in the last category.
You will find many in the first category, particularly in Politics and increasingly in Social Media platforms.
I attended a seminar once that began with the statement:-
“Ignorance is when you don’t know something, stupidity is when you know something of value to you and you don’t do anything about it.
Tonight you came here ignorant, how you leave is up to you.”
Harsh, but true.
Let’s hope that you can learn something in my writing that removes the veil of ignorance and allows you to take action so you don’t end up feeling stupid.
Regards,
Brent.
P.S. Don’t be ignorant or stupid, leave a comment.
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