Reflections on Wisdom: The End of the Beginning

"The perfect man uses his mind as a mirror.  It grasps nothing, it rejects nothing.  It receives but does not keep."  ~ Chuang tzu

Please join me for some personal thoughts on life, learning, and moving forward...

Not that I expect any readers to notice, I have evolved, both personally and professionally, over the past few years to the degree that I am convinced that financial success, if defined correctly, has little to do with financial knowledge.  Financial success, and success in any and all areas of our lives, however, has everything to do with self-awareness.  That is why, therefore, I will continue to blog about investing and personal finance but I will place virtue and self-awareness before money because, after all, that is the proper order of things.

I do nothing but go about persuading you all, old and young alike, not to take thought for your persons or your properties, but and chiefly to care about the greatest improvement of the soul.  I tell you that virtue is not given by money, but that from virtue comes money, and every other good of man, public as well as private.  This is my teaching, and if this is the doctrine which corrupts the youth, I am a mischievous person. ~ Socrates, quoted by Plato, 'The Death of Socrates'

On a similar note, I would not necessarily turn away from money and status but they do not even register into my objectives or priorities.  For example, I just received news that I passed the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) board exam.  The CFP may indirectly result in more money and status but I've learned more important lessons from my reading and writing about philosophy over the past 18 months than the six courses and five-thousand pages of CFP material I studied over the same time frame.  Knowledge is power but knowledge is not wisdom.

"Health is the greatest possession.  Contentment is the greatest treasure.  Confidence is the greatest friend.  Non-being is the greatest joy." ~ Lau-tzu   

I am also happier that I passed my annual physical exam this week than the 10-hour CFP board exam I passed last month.  Without our health, who cares about anything else?  Expanding the picture even larger, there are hundreds of thousands of people in Myanmar and China who have lost a loved-one in the past several days.  If that doesn't bring perspective, I don't know what does...

"When the mind is thinking it is talking to itself." ~ Plato

Regarding the blog, I've discovered that my posts are primarily internal conversations  with myself.  In the beginning, I started this blog as a marketing tool to direct traffic to my firm's website.  It slowly evolved as a means to crystallize my thoughts and share these internal conversations with other people.  My objective now is to continue seeking self-awareness and to lead others to know themselves, as well.

"A man only learns in two ways, one by reading, and the other by association with smarter people." ~ Will Rogers

I should also say that I have learned much from the readers whose comments have provided much knowledge and wisdom that has provoked great thought and reflection for me.  Thanks!

On a smaller note, I have stopped the Weekend Wisdom category of posts.  There is no reason to have some kind of catchy phrase in the post titles that only confines the title to a particular time of week.  Also, the posts have evolved to be no different than any other post published at any other time of the week...

"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly." ~  Richard Bach

Whether you are a new or long-time reader, thank you for being here!  I look forward to enhancing the experience for you and for me as we continue to move forward.  I will continue to leverage timeless wisdom for your financial success, but more importantly, for your path to a meaningful existence...

Thanks for sharing the end of the beginning of The Financial Philosopher.  I have so many ideas to share and plans to grow the blog into an even more effective means to learn more about myself and to help you learn more about you...

Cheers...

   

Comments

[Charles]

Good health is worth more than all the gold in the universe. As long as we possess good health, we have the opportunity to achieve anything that we wish to achieve.

It is important to always have a positive view of life, even in the midst of the most dire circumstances. Positive emotions are essential to good health and survival.

If you believe that life is unfairly treating you, take a little time to read "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor E. Frankl. Perhaps your life is not as bad as you first thought.

Charles

[Oz]

It's always a little pleasure of mine to roll over to your blog to find an interesting post, new or old. I find myself going back to some older ones every now and then because the wisdom expressed by yourself and commentators is wonderful to reflect upon again.

Thanks again, Kent.

[Greg Feirman]

Your passion for philosophy and wisdom is inspiring Kent. You're a unique voice in the investment business. And a powerful one.

[The Financial Philosopher]

Charles / Oz / Greg:

I have learned something from all three of you and appreciate the sharing of ideas...

All three of you have added to the conversation by challenging some of my thoughts, not just agreeing with them, and bringing my knowledge and awareness to a higher level...

Thanks and please continue the thought-provoking comments!

Kent

[David]

Kent,

Thanks for this post. I look forward to reading your future posts, hearing what you have to say on all things of interest that come along, and witnessing the metamorphosis.

Keep on rocking and rolling.

[The Financial Philosopher]

Thanks, David. You certainly have been a part of the ride. As you suggested, I'll keep on rocking and rolling!

Kent

[mhm]

"On a smaller note, I have stopped the Weekend Wisdom category of posts."

I say, welcome to your newfound freedom. And keep up the good work.

[The Financial Philosopher]

Thanks, MHM. I will do my best...