This week I drove by an automotive detailing shop on a main commercial route in our town. On the sign out front, in black removable letters, someone had placed words of inspiration which read, “Wisdom begins with wonder.” I read the sign and thought to myself that I would like to meet the person who decided to add this nugget of inspiration to their business sign. It was early in the morning and the shop was closed so I wasn’t able to stop and ask, but the message stayed with me throughout the week.
About the same time, I received an e-mail message containing quotes by Jim Rohn, an author, motivational speaker and business coach. One of them stood out. It said, “Everything you need for a better future and success has already been written. And guess what? All you have to do is go to the library.”
These two incidents, seemingly unrelated, somehow stayed together in my mind. My questions became, “What do I wonder about? And what am I doing to discover the answers?” As I came up with a list of all kinds of things that pique my curiosity, I realized that the way I answer them is by reading books. When I wondered about how to open my Studio, I devoured books on becoming a successful entrepreneur. When I wondered about how to write a book, I read books about writing, becoming an author and even took a writing course. Writing was one thing, publishing was another. So, I went on to read books and articles about how to become a published author.
The list of curiosities goes on an on, but what about you? What thoughts have you had which begin with the two words, “I wonder…?” Do you wonder how you’re going to pay your bills next month? Do you wonder where your kids are going? Do you wonder how to become successful or how to make more money? Do you wonder when you are going to work out next and how you’re going to lose weight? Maybe you wonder what you’re going to have for dinner, or wonder how you’re going to get to a better place in your life.
Some of those questions can be answered pretty easily by opening your cupboards or making a phone call. But, some of them are not so easily conquered. So, my next question becomes, “What have you read lately that will help you answer any of those questions for yourself?” Rohn suggests that everything you need to learn to have a better future has already been written. What have you read that will help get you where you want to be?
I know the old excuses come into play. Right now some of you are saying, “But I don’t have time to read.” My response is that I believe you make time to read in the same way you make time for anything else that is important in your life. It is a matter of how important it is to you. If you want to go somewhere else, if you want to better your position in life – personally, professionally or financially – you have to learn more. Wonder begins the process of learning, and learning becomes the foundation of wisdom.
With that in mind, I have provided a list of some of the books I have read in the past few months. I would love to hear the suggestions you might provide as well. To suggest books, or to comment on any books you have read, please go to my blog, www.kellisquips.blogspot.com.
In the meantime, have a wonder-full week!
Love, Kelli