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So we’re half way through January already. How’s it going for you?
Time just keeps flying doesn’t it!
Wrestling With the Truth
Anyway, the other day I was reminiscing with someone about the good old days and the topic of wrestling came up.
Who remembers Giant Haystacks and Big Daddy? Usually they were tagged with some scrawny partner who would go first in the ring.
The scrawny guy would be used to sweep the floor sparkling clean by the baddy opponent, and we’d all boo and hiss accordingly!
Then, of course, the poor guy (who seemed to have no wrestling skills whatsoever, so why was he even there?!) musters all his strength to tag partner, Big Daddy.
To loud cheers of glee, Big Daddy enters the ring to save the day and avenge his useless partner by using his sizeable tummy to bounce the baddy all over the ring.
As if! 😁
It was the regular format for tag teams in wrestling, which we all recognised, but we still didn’t get it.
Let’s Wise Up: Finding Our Way in a Complicated World
The term “let’s wise up” is commonly used, sometimes with a touch of scepticism, sometimes with a splash of practicality.
It’s a gentle nudge to see things as they really are, to recognize the not-so-glamorous truths that shape our world.
It’s a friendly reminder that while thinking positively feels good, it doesn’t always lead us down the right path.
What’s the deal with this whole “wise up” thing? And why should we bother trying to get there?
Avoiding Naivety For a Clear-Eyed Perspective.
Human nature is not always pure goodness.
We all want to believe that people are inherently good, but history and our daily lives prove that people are multifaceted and capable of both generous acts and extreme cruelty.
To be overly trusting is to assume that everyone acts with the same honesty and intentions as we do, making us susceptible to being manipulated, taken advantage of, and let down.
Don’t be that person!
Why It Matters to Wise Up and Avoid Naivety
The consequences of naivety can be significant, both on a personal and societal level.
Naivety can lead to personal vulnerability leading to poor decision-making, leaving us susceptible to scams, broken promises, and emotional manipulation.
It can hinder our ability to protect ourselves and our interests.
Raise your hand if you’ve been there! It’s OK, we live and learn.
If we don’t understand how things work and who’s calling the shots, we might end up feeling stuck or chasing after dead-end solutions.
Wise Up To Not Making Things Worse
When you keep getting let down and feeling disillusioned because you’ve been a bit naive, it can make it harder to trust others and even yourself and your own instincts.
When we turn a blind eye to uncomfortable truths and just go with the flow, we might actually be keeping those problems alive and kicking.
It’s not about stirring up drama, but just taking a step back and questioning things every now and then.
Wise Up To the Fine Art of Practical Balance
Avoiding naivety doesn’t mean becoming cynical or losing hope. It’s about finding a balance between optimism and realism.
It’s really important to cultivate critical thinking skills. I’ve said it before.
Being able to analyse information, spot biases, and question assumptions is so key.
When you take the time to learn and explore, like diving into history, different viewpoints, and all the ins and outs of different systems, it can really shape how you see the world.
It’s important to be aware of your own biases.
Understanding your natural tendencies and how they can impact your views is key to making fair judgments.
When we have a clear view of what’s happening around us, we can make smart choices that lead to positive outcomes.
Let’s use that knowledge to take action and make a difference.
Time to Wise Up
So let’s wise up and not be clueless.
This isn’t saying we should be negative; it’s asking for us to be practical and realistic about what’s going on in the world.
It’s all about recognizing the difficulties we’re facing while still holding onto the hope that things can get better.
By thinking critically, learning, and really grasping how things work, we can tackle challenges head-on and work towards a future that’s based on informed optimism instead of blind positivity.
By the way, in case you missed the memo: wrestling is all staged!
It’s just good old entertainment, folks. 😊
Wisdom is the principal thing (Proverbs 4:7)
