Seek wisdom rather than attention

August 27, 2021 | 20 comments

Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk.

~ Doug Larson

20 thoughts on “Seek wisdom rather than attention”

  1. This is worth reading and applying all day, every day, every year.

    Combine this with people who are sharing the truth and the best for everyone.

  2. God gives us wisdom…wisdom brings humility….humility encourages listening and understanding. Understanding develops knowledge and the only true knowledge is that bestowed eternally by God. What great thoughts to take forward today…thank you Evan❣️

  3. Great statement on wisdom and the first three chapters in Proverbs some of which were in the CS Bible lesson for last week on Mind were all about obtaining wisdom and knowledge and understanding. Wonderful read.in Proverbs chapter 2: 1-10 and Prov. 3: most all of that chapter especially verse 24″ When thou liest down, thou shall not be afraid; yea, thou shalt lie down, and they sleep shall be sweet’ and the last verse,35 which states in part “The wise shall inherit glory:”.
    Blessings to all

  4. An aphorism I was taught as a child is “listening is not waiting for your turn to talk.” We are instructed through the Bible and Mrs. Eddy’s writings to listen, watch and work. We hear instruction, respond, and set to work simultaneously. First wisdom is “from above,” from God.

    Thank you, Evan.
    We are rewarded daily.

    1. That is brilliant Annie! Pity no one told me this before …oops I need to now try to remember this! Better late than never though right!?

    2. Annie, thanks for “listening is not waiting for your turn to talk.” It’s funny and wise at the same time, I definitely need to apply this.

      True listening requires a quiet mind and humility so that we can be fully present in the moment to hear others. We can feel like our minds are agitated when we seem to be “listening” to mortal/material beliefs. All we can hear is our “own” thoughts clamoring to get out of our mouths. God, the one divine Mind of us all, provides the peace and humility we need to really listen.

      I looked up the author of the quote Doug Larson, newspaper editor and columnist in Wisconsin; many wise and witty quotes are attributed to him. Here are a few more:

      –To err is human; to admit it, superhuman.
      –The world is full of people looking for spectacular happiness while they snub contentment.
      –Wisdom is the quality that keeps you from getting into situations where you need it.
      –Instead of giving a politician the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks.
      –Home computers are being called upon to perform many new functions, including the consumption of homework formerly eaten by the dog.

      Peaceful day to all, filled with wisdom!

  5. “Listening is not waiting for your turn to talk”. Love it.
    Thank you Evan and all who share your ideas and comments.

  6. Very good. We get knowledge from talking; we get wisdom and understanding from listening and letting divine Mind do the talking.

  7. Thank you Evan. Excellent article Angie, thank you…I love the first sentence of the article: “In Christian Science we learn that we can understand God and hear His voice only through spiritual sense.” Thinking of how this relates to a belief of hearing-impairment or hearing loss, there was a testimony last week in JSH-com from a woman dealing with a hearing blockage. This is an excerpt: “Ears = Not organs of the so-called corporeal senses, but spiritual understanding. (Science & Health 585: 1-4) As an idea of God, we are not lacking in spiritual understanding. We all have the inherent capacity to know God and experience God’s healing power.” Looking up the word “inherent” I found it to mean: existing in something as a permanent, essential, or a characteristic attribute – and as a right or privilege. So looking at the ability to listen and hear from a spiritual vantage point (spiritual sense – our only true sense), nothing can ever impede, prevent or hinder this ability, and it belongs to each one of us, right now!

    1. Thank you, Evan, for another superb topicSuch an excellent article. Thank you, Angie.
      Listening is such an underrated skill. Isn’t prayer listening for and to GOD? Didn’t Jesus direct us to let our words be yay or nay?
      How about the Navajo talking stick, a Native American tool for team building. It helps focus on concentrated listening, rather than rushing to burst forth with one’s opinion.
      On a humorous note, according to the Interpersonal communication text I used for teaching classes, listening, when done with full attention, also burns (material) calories.

  8. Thanks to all for this wonderful sharing, which is exactly what I need!!!
    And actually, I don’t have anything to add!!
    Much love to you today and always!

  9. Thank you very much Evan for the admonition to listen to God, divine Love for every answer. Yes, listening to God is humbling – so wonderful!
    And very very helpful are Angie’s 2 articles on “listening to God’s messages” I am very grateful for them, thanks a lot Angie!♡

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