<\/p>\n
\u201cFour eyes see better than two\u201d (Old Saying).<\/p>\n
IT\u2019S A FOOLISH PERSON INDEED WHO DOESN\u2019T APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF ADVICE. When we\u2019re faced with a decision-making situation, none of us can see everything that would be profitable to see. We need the supplementary vision that comes from other eyes, and to the extent that we let our viewpoint be enlarged and improved by other people\u2019s perspectives, our decisions will turn out better.<\/p>\n
There are some, no doubt, who go to the opposite extreme, taking the advice of everyone they meet, regardless of whether the advice is good, bad, or mediocre. But the person who takes everyone\u2019s advice is just as foolish as the person who doesn\u2019t take anybody\u2019s. At some point, we have to take responsibility for our own choices. We should heed good advice and disregard that which is not so good \u2014 and then we must make our decisions independently.<\/p>\n
But therein lies the trick! If we could always tell the difference between good and bad advice, we probably wouldn\u2019t need any advice. As Wilson Mizner said, \u201cTo profit from good advice requires more wisdom than to give it.\u201d So, we need to grow in wisdom \u2014 the wisdom required to recognize and act on good advice.<\/p>\n
Our most common mistake is disregarding advice that conflicts with our preferences and preconceived ideas. Whoever agrees with our preferred course of action is \u201cwise,\u201d and his advice is \u201cgood,\u201d while the fellow who warns us we\u2019re on the wrong track is usually written off as someone who \u201cjust doesn\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
But sometimes the best advice is the most uncomfortable. And not only that, but the best advice may come from unwelcome sources, perhaps even our enemies. Yet if we know what\u2019s good for us, we\u2019ll learn to profit from helpful advice, regardless of where it comes from or how little we may want to hear it.<\/p>\n
In my experience, the best advice usually has to be sought. We must actively look for it; it doesn\u2019t usually look for us. Because they desire to be courteous, many of our friends won\u2019t speak frankly about our circumstances unless we ask them to. And as we all know, asking for advice can be embarrassing. But if we stay silent when we need help, we only hurt ourselves in the long run.<\/p>\n
\u201cI not only use all the brains I have but all I can borrow\u201d (Woodrow Wilson).<\/p>\n
Gary Henry \u2013 WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com<\/p>\n