Your GREATEST Education

This is "Wide-Open Wednesday"...experience the EXCITEMENT of 

today's POSSIBILITY for YOU!

Following the process that I have done over the past two blogs and podcasts, I want to continue today by talking about another one of my "catch phrases" - this is one that you hear at the start of each of my podcasts: "Your greatest education takes place on the campus of your mind."

What do you think of when you read or hear the word, "education"? Most of us would think of an image like the one you find with this blog or, maybe, you have an image of a large building with large columns out front. You may even think about that certificate hanging on the wall of your doctor, lawyer or even your own wall that has a lot of letters following the name on that certificate.

Hey, can I be blunt? (Like I really need to ask your permission, right? Maybe I'm just giving fair warning that it's coming.) I've met a LOT of very DUMB "intellectual" people and I've also met a lot of SMART "uneducated" people - haven't you?

Sure, one may have a higher I.Q. than the other and one may do better on some sort of test than another but, let's get real here - education does NOT have to be confined to the classroom! As I discuss the first half of this catch phrase, I want to take a moment to consider that your GREATEST education is the education that you gain by living LIFE - each and every day.

We've all heard of the "school of hard knocks" and, there is a lot of TRUTH in that phrase, isn't there? You've likely also heard that "common sense is not so common" and, my guess is, you've likely seen that demonstrated by some of those around you as well.

LIFE IS TOUGH! There are "ups" and there are "downs" and, if you live long enough you realize that life goes in cycles with these ups and downs. So, as we continue to live and gain experience through these ups and downs we learn how to HANDLE these and how to pull through to the other side. The "low times" don't stay around for ever and, just as important for us to realize, the "high times/good times" don't always last forever either!

As we experience these things and go through life we should no longer be surprised or shocked at the cyclical nature of life, right? BUT HOW MANY STILL ARE and how many are still unprepared for this fact of life? Some people NEVER learn! 

Yeah, that's right - they FAIL in their education of life!

When I discuss the second half of this phrase I will talk about the importance of what we put in our minds and how it relates to making it through this cycle, so be sure to come back for that. But for now - ARE YOU LEARNING EVERY SINGLE DAY?

Each day is WIDE OPEN (yeah, I'm going back to the "tag line" for today) for us to absorb as much as we can. There is so much available for us... so many people just waiting to teach us a lesson. Wow, I'm sure when you just read that it may have struck you in a negative way. We don't like the idea or phrase, "I'm here to teach you a lesson" because it's usually some sort of threat. 

THINK ABOUT IT! If we will but open our eyes to the people that we come across each and every day we will realize (IF we open our eyes and are willing to see and learn) what a great opportunity we have to LEARN from so many....an endless and continuous supply!

Will you take advantage of this education? ARE YOU taking advantage of this education? If not, why not?

No, you won't necessarily get a certificate on your wall with your name on it and a bunch of letters behind it but you WILL be well educated in one of the toughest subjects that we ALL "take" - LIFE!

Again, be sure to join me tomorrow for the second half of this phrase as I discuss the importance of the "library" that we have in our mind. 

As always, be sure to listen to the podcast that goes along with this (iTunes - http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-spillmans-future-you/id423660739 or my RSS feed - http://mikespillman.hipcast.com/rss/futureyouuniversity.xml )

The opportunity for your greatest education awaits you TODAY...live and learn and, until next time, be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike