Lesson to Learning, Knowledge to Wisdom

More than 10 years ago, I envisioned myself of who I want to become today.  Perhaps a public speaker of sort of not about impressing the audience but rather impressing to them the relevance of what I say and share.  Hopefully, make them better individuals than who they were the day before.  I was fortunate to be under a tutelage of a great person.  From him, I attribute the inspiration and motivation that sprung in me.  From him, I deliberately chose the path and the things that I do today and perhaps will continue doing so, for the rest of my life.

Deciding that I want to propagate responsible personal financial management, I have to craft my own financial plan at the time when this body of knowledge or a program about it was a scarcity, I pursued.  Taking some guidance from my mentor on how to begin a financial plan, and after a few months, the journey started.  It was not easy at the onset, recording, monitoring and evaluating the budget, the cash flow and the initial portfolio.  Lessons from him were verbally expressed but most were demonstrated.  These lessons were so valuable that soon turned to learnings in concept and application.  Likewise, I was fortunate to see the lesson from the graduate school to encourage critical thinking, I was able to persevere through the struggles of continuing the plan and dealing with the harsh reality of my financial condition at that time.

Since then (2002) my financial actions and decisions were more conscious and deliberate.  My encounters with clients were more confident and meaningful.  These encounters were opportunities to see more lessons and learn from it.  I saw the blending of my personal life to my corporate objectives.  As if I was earning my salary to better myself and enjoy my tasks, it was a job so fulfilling and gratifying.  Few more years after the first vision came to me, I made a move towards achieving my vision – volunteered to be assigned to the training unit.  I thought that by teaching, I will learn more when I interact with my audience.  More so, I learned when they ask questions.  Even when my career was going nowhere, I know I was going towards my destination.  I feel my work objectives were my life objectives as well.  Advising people on where best to invest their money while making sure liquidity is intact was like a reminder to myself as well.  I always felt I was in the zone – motivated and driven.

I wanted to widen my learning and my knowledge by getting certified and allow myself to be challenged in pursuing greater wisdom on financial management.  I decided to quit from employment and pursue my life objectives.  By doing so, I realized that I gained more wisdom the moment I started sharing my thoughts, ideas and perspectives.  Indeed the anecdote is true, “a man talks while a wise man speaks”.  By talking we simply want to be heard.  Speaking is more active.  It involves, thinking and listening while articulating a topic.  Speaking aims to be understood and positively influence the mindset of the listeners.

There had been numerous successes and achievements, but never counted it nor it made me overly confident that I am an expert.  The room for improvement has never been larger and the journey has not reached mid-way, I think.  There is a long way to go.  Maybe my lifetime will not be enough.  But will make sure I will be able to provide the wisdom more than I thought I could.