“The genesis of wisdom is one’s ability to come to grips with one’s own stupidity.” ~Jay Meyer
Today is Super Sunday as the most watched sporting event of the year takes place. To be honest with you, I enjoy watching the game but even more enjoyable for me is reading the real life stories written about the athletes during the week prior to the big day.
One of my favorite sports columnists from The Dayton Daily News, Tom Archdecon wrote a great story about Greenville native and future hall of famer, Matt Light and the charitable work he does off the field. I’ve always felt a connection to Matt as Greenville is but 12 miles from my home. From the article it was easy for me to conclude Matt Light is an amazing human being; someone wise beyond his years.
Another article that caught my eye during “Super Week” was an article about Chad Ochocinco (aka, Chad Johnson). Chad is the former Cincinnati Bengal turned New England Patriot.
I am a die hard Cincinnati Bengals fan…I know; the beginning of wisdom is coming to grips with one’s own stupidity. :)Â But hey, we made it to the playoffs this year!
In Archdecon’s article about Chad I could see where the once flamboyant, self-promoter, self-focused, often disruptive to the team individual, had become quiet, soft spoken and focused on supporting his team, the New England Patriots, in hopes of becoming the world champions of professional football.
Although Chad was a disruptive force to the Bengals, I was a huge fan of his. He was so talented and a master at self-marketing. What Chad didn’t realize during his tenure with the Bengals is self-promotion is not in the formula for winning a Super Bowl Championship or any type of championship for that matter.
From Archdecon’s article it was easy to glean Chad had a peace about him I had never observed before. He had a focus as well as a purpose. It seemed as though Chad had grown, he seemed wiser from a football standpoint. My take is he came to grips with his own stupidity and is now in line to win a Super Bowl Championship…during what has become his personal (from a statistics standpoint) worst season of his career!
How many “Super Life Experiences” have you missed out on because of your own stupidity? How many times has your need for your own self importance gotten in the way of experiencing “Super Life Experiences?” Do you have great personal statistics, but no “Life Championships” to be proud of?
If you want to begin experiencing a “Super Life” you will need to get over “stupid,” by covering yourself with “wise.”
It starts with prayer. Ask God, the maker of the universe as well as the maker of your brain (where stupidity lives) to help you do what you need to do in order to become wise. It continues with reading (the book of Proverbs is a great place to start) and it grows by hanging around others who are living “Super Lives.” (By the way, Chad’s team, the New England Patriots are going after their 4th Super Bowl Championship in the last 10 years. Champions breed Champions.)
It is pretty easy to detect “Super Livers.” They are at peace with themselves and others and have nothing to prove. Their wisdom shines most when they are able to admit their own stupidity. They are always trying to learn and become wiser. Their “we” mentality clearly outshines their “me” mentality (we all have selfish tendencies and at the root of selfishness is fear…see last Sunday’s blog). They build and don’t destroy, they lift and try not to lean.
Most importantly they win championships whether it be in life or in a stupid game like football regardless of their personal statistics.
Choose to be a “Super Liver.” Choose wisdom over stupidity!
.Go get ’em Chad!
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch
Proverbs 4:5, “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.”
