WISDOM for  MEN: Be You    

Every man is a damn fool for at least five minutes every day; wisdom consists in not exceeding the limit.

~Elbert Hubbard

I went to a 4^th of July party a few weeks ago and ran into a new friend named Mike Lowery.  He happens to reads the articles I submit to the newspaper.  We talked awhile about the topics that stood out to him; along with various guy topics that come up while standing in front of the beverage truck.  It was an unexpected and interesting conversation. 

Something of interest that stood out to me was that last year at this same party my friend was performing a mean “air guitar” and every once in a while he would shout, “HOW BOUT THOSE EERSSSSS!” I asked why the change in his party styling’s.  He shared with me that change is inevitable.   It’s not a matter of giving up or being too old; it’s about enjoying change and making room for others.   

What he was talking about was gaining wisdom.

It can be challenging to define Wisdom, but most people know it when they see it expressed. The guy that plants his garden at the right time of the year, the guy that reads to his kids or grandkids even when he is tired and even the guy that supports his wife without saying word, because he knows what would be helpful for their relationship and not just his ego. These in the know people, believe wisdom involves a combination of knowledge, experience, and deep understanding that there is no such thing as fair and things can go in a direction that was not planned at any time.  There's an awareness of idea of fairness and its complexities, and it grants a sense of personal balance.

Wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age. Sometimes age just shows up all by itself.

~Tom Wilson

Being a man of mountaineer wisdom is complex yet simple to understand and then act on. I thought I would share my interpretation of Mike Lowey’s insight on being a Mountaineer man of Wisdom.  I compiled a simple list of Wise Mountaineer Men Understandings; also known as WMMUs to help the good men of Monongalia County. Thanks Mike Lowery for your help.

• ·         Knowing your limits doesn’t make your weak, knowing is a strength
• ·         Just because you have another way of doing something doesn’t mean your way is right,  good leaders sometimes follow
• ·         40 is not the new 30, nor is 30 the new 20. Face it, you’re older
• ·         Just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should
• ·         Beside every strong man is a strong partner
• ·         You are defined by your occupation, you define you
• ·         Winning a battle doesn’t win the war.  Especially when the goal should be peace
• ·         Constructive criticism is not the same as giving advice
• ·         The secure guy is the one that doesn’t need to fight, for the insecure guy life is a fight
• ·         Being venerable is a strength and girls like it.
• ·         Setting boundaries with a person is not the same as disrespecting them
• ·         Having power struggles with people means you not understand personal power

I hope this has been helpful.