8.2b: Seven Areas to Excel in, Part II

 

In speech, excel in being honest and trustworthy;

in governance, excel in bringing order;

in human affairs, excel in skill;

in action, excel in timing.  

In all cases, it is only because they don’t contend – this is why they are above reproach.

 4. Honesty: Wise people excel in saying what they mean and meaning what they say.  They are honest and trustworthy.  They know when to say something publicly, when to say something in private, and when to hold their tongues.  So can we.  In today’s interconnected cyber community, we can’t take back anything that we say, so we are best served by measuring our words and being honest and truthful in everything we say.

5. Governance: Wise people excel in bringing order to chaos, finding solutions to problems, and regulating themselves first and foremost.  We can do likewise, practicing moderation and mediating the extreme views that surround us.  We can see both sides of any issue, understand where different people are coming from, and allow everyone to be heard. 

6. Skillset: Wise people develop their skills and abilities to excel in a wide variety of endeavors, enterprises, matters, and affairs.  Whatever, the undertaking we constantly improve, learn, and grow.  We can take on new challenges, practice new skills, improve our existing skillsets, and refine and improve our approaches and understandings.  We can mix things up, change tactics, try a new approach, move in a different direction, and change.

7. Timeliness: Knowing that the Way is a course of action and not just pleasant words, wise people strive to align their conduct, behavior, and actions with their speech and to be transparent in their motivations.  Moreover, they excel in understanding when to act and when to patiently wait for the opportune moment.  Timeliness, then, is the courage to act, to seize the opportunity of a lifetime in the lifetime of the opportunity; it is also the patience to postpone instant gratification and sacrifice present comfort for long-term goals.  Most importantly, it is the wisdom to discern between patiently and openly waiting for unforeseen and unimagined opportunities in the future or intentionally pursuing our dreams and seizing the moment.  Excelling in this paradox is the gateway to all wonders.

The key to all excelling in all these skills is to work together and collaborate with others for the greater good, while avoiding contention and self-serving promotion or competition against others.  To do so in these areas of life is to live a sagely life above reproach and free of regret or remorse.  ~ DCB

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