are you sagacious?
women my age might imagine it to be a description of what gravity tends to do to their body over the years.
but no.
not even close.
if you are sagacious -you have or show keen mental discernment and good judgement; you are wise or shrewd.
i think being sagacious would benefit my journey. how about you?
there is a simple test.
this is how you know if you are sagacious:
Wise are those who restrain their talking; people with understanding are coolheaded. Fools who keep quiet are deemed wise; those who shut their lips are smart. -Proverbs
have you ever been told, “if you know what’s good for you…” or “if you were smart you’d shut your mouth!”
the word smart refers to being sagacious or prudent.
this week, i have shared with you several posts concerning anger.
in my post how to handle emotions: anger, i discussed that anger can be a very useful emotion and that instinctively we feel anger when we are at risk of danger or loss. it’s easy to see this displayed in the animal kingdom; wound a bear, and watch it get angry. attempt to take a bone that your dog is enjoying and, quickly, you realize he’s not going to just lie there and let you take it from him.
we need our angry emotions. they are a safety mechanism.
however, beyond safety…they can get us into a lot of trouble.
do you understand the number 1 way that we get ourselves into trouble when we feel a burst of anger?
our mouth!
you know, “my mouth has a way if getting me into trouble!”
boy, do i know that statement is the truth.
how?
by experience.
throughout my 54 year journey, i have been known to have “a mouth on me”.
here are 3 things that have made my blood boil over the years:
1. rudeness. if i am sitting in a resturant and a customer is being rude and demeaning to the waitress, i see red!
2. cruelty. i don’t like bullying in any form. when i observe cruelty to someone who is helpless due to age, strength or capability, i want to explode!
3. i hate to be told to “shut up”. i think it’s a rude statement so it’s similar to my first reason. when my daughter was very young, i told her it was a naughty word. so, she would gasp when she heard someone say it. i am pretty shy at times and have not always been comfortable with having my say…so, i don’t want to be told that i have to shut up in the middle of a sentence. i can get fired up!
these are three things that “push my button.” my anger button.
it has taken me many years and resulting pain to fully gain the “understanding” that it is wise to keep my mouth restrained and if i can’t restraint it -to just keep it shut.
now, that does not mean i don’t stand up for the people being mistreated.
there is a right way and a wrong way to confront someone. anger tends to cause us to forget reason, common sense and good judgement.
how can you prove you are sagacious? by having the good judgement and presence of mind to understand and discern when to speak (with restraint) or when to shut your mouth (rather just be quiet).
a wise person, a person who wants to prevent heartache, pain and suffering to their heart understand that being cool-headed when they need to address a situation will bring better results.
usually, we learn this the hard way…
by personal experience.
the Proverbs tell us that wisdom cries out to us so that heartache and pain can be prevented.
believe me, at 54 year old woman and a person who hates to be told to “shut up”, i’ve learned it’s better that i restrain my own mouth.
the reward?
peace.
i enjoy peace much more than turmoil, conflict and heartache.
have you ever said, “i wish i had kept my big mouth shut?”
yeah, me, too.
maybe next time…
it would be wise to do just that.
have a peaceful week,
D
There are always things that are out of our control. But there are also always going to be things that we can take responsibility for and make a difference. 
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