The book of Proverbs chapter 4 has some terrific wisdom for us today (from the Message Bible translation):
Vs.4-9. Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom!
Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!
Throw your arms around her – believe me, you won't regret it;
never let her go – she'll make your life glorious.
She'll garland your life with grace,
she'll festoon your days with beauty.
How easy it is to just focusing on getting through the day, or getting tasks done, without taking time to stop and glean the wisdom that comes from God. True wisdom is seeing life from God's perspective. Thankfully, God gives wisdom to any who ask (James 1:4).
Vs.18. The ways of right–living people glow with light;
the longer they live, the brighter they shine.
May our lives shine like bright lights in a dark world today – through who we are, what we say, and what we do.
Vs.23. Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts.
Life is lived inside out. It's not so much what is happening on the outside that matters but what is happening on the inside.
Vs.25-27. Keep your eyes straight ahead;
ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
leave evil in the dust.
Ah, the power of focus. When Bill Gates first met Warren Buffett, their host at dinner, Gates’ mother, asked everyone around the table to identify what they believed was the single most important factor in their success through life. Gates and Buffett gave the same one-word answer: "Focus". (See more in The Snowball by Alice Schroeder).