The Worldly Wisdom of Charlie Munger
Charlie Munger
Gratitude is the master key to real happiness and boundless joy.
And all it takes to bring gratitude in life is to say “Thank you”.
It’s such a small gesture but we don’t usually do it. Why? Because the things that are easy to do are the things that are easy not to do.
So pick up the pen and write a thank you note to someone. Start with your parents, siblings, spouse, or friends.
Believe me, it feels great. Try it!
The secret of genius is not extraordinary intelligence, it’s the ability to persevere.
Albert Einstein said –
It is not that I’m so smart. But I stay with the questions much longer.
If you have chosen the right problem and can’t seem to get a breakthrough, then don’t give up. There are only two possibilities in this approach –
Either case, you’re a winner. So keep on keeping on.
Our words set the direction for our lives.
When you say something, the first set of ears that hears it belongs to YOU. That too twice; once when the thought emerges silently in your mind and then once more when you verbalise it and it comes back in through your own ears.
Would you like it if someone keeps telling you how messed up you are? Or how things aren’t working out?
Of course not. Then don’t be that someone.
Become your own biggest fan. The most enthusiastic cheer leader that you know.
Every morning when you wake up, how can you go out and give your best output to the world if you don’t believe that you’re the best in the world.
Be modest and practice humility in public. But when you’re alone, tell yourself that you are the best. Don’t just whisper or think, say it loudly. There is immense power in the spoken word.
Change the way you speak about yourself and you can change your life.
Literally, speak it.
Learn to be good to people. Don’t miss an opportunity to do something good for someone.
A thought may come, “He or she never does anything for me”. Then remember, what Mark Twain said –
Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.
May be the other person doesn’t deserve your kindness but you deserve the peace that ‘being good’ brings.
So forgive and forget.
A wise old man told his grandson, “Son, on the inside of every person a battle is raging between two wolves One wolf is evil. It’s angry, greedy, jealous, unforgiving, and lazy. The other wolf is good. It’s filled with love, kindness, humility, and self-control.”
“The two wolves are constantly fighting.” the grandfather said.
The little boy thought about it, and said, “Grandfather, which wolf is going to win?”
The grandfather smiled and said, “Whichever one you feed.”
Which wolf are you feeding? I sincerely hope that the good wolf is winning inside you.