Seek to Be Wise: Finding Extraordinary Wisdom in Everyday Life

by Chess Britt

Overview

We’re all looking for answers. We just need to open our eyes to the world around us to find them.

Author Chess Britt shares a delightful personal collection of down-to-earth maxims with one clear agenda: to inspire us to search for truth and wisdom. If we actively seek wisdom, says Britt, we’re bound to live our happiest and most productive lives. The best part is that we don’t have to look far. Truth and wisdom are often right under our noses in our everyday lives. 

And when we seek wisdom and learn from it, we’ll be ready not only to grab life’s opportunities, but to meet the challenges we will inevitably face. Britt believes in us and in our ability to carry out the search, and his encouraging words and (often humorous) stories contain an uplifting message about recognizing, embracing, and valuing those searches. 

The maxims—with titles like “Live to Love and Love to Live” and “It’s Going to Be Okay” explore topics such as making the most of our time with other people, why anger is our enemy, the importance of patience, and even why we shouldn’t waste precious time lying in bed when there are things to be done—guide with a gentle hand. Britt’s suggestions are offered without judgment and have something to say to people of all ages, from all walks of life. If after reading the maxims, we want to alter our present course, the author offers questions to ponder on how to move forward. Britt’s life experiences and faith guide him in this thoughtful and generous book you’ll want to experience and share with anyone looking for answers. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781626347212
Publisher:	Greenleaf Book Group Press
Publication date:	07/07/2020
Pages:	184
Sales rank:	497,798
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Chess Britt is the former chief marketing officer at Primerica, the largest financial services marketing organization in North America. Since retiring, he has continued his lifelong pursuit of wisdom and sharing that wisdom with people from all walks of life. He is a trusted leader, advisor, and coach, who is known for helping others improve their performance. An avid reader, he enjoys a broad range of topics that focus on improving his life and the life of others. He lives in Buford, Georgia, with his wife Trisha. 

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Prologue: The Simple Is Extraordinary xv

Introduction: Beginning the Search for Wisdom 1

Part 1 Maxims from Mom

Do the Right Thing, and the Rest Will Come Out in the Wash 9

Can't Never Could 17

If Ifs and Ands Were Pots and Pans, You Would Not Have to Buy Any 21

Part 2 Maxims from Dad

The Bed Is Your Enemy 29

Beware of Living One Paycheck Away from Disaster 33

Death Is Our Greatest Teacher 39

Part 3 Maxims from Family

Patience, Grasshopper 45

It's Never Too Late 49

Beware of Acting in Your Own Self-Interest as Opposed to the Interests of Others 53

Always Do Your Best 57

Keep Your Word and Be Bold 61

Be Honorable 65

Part 4 Maxims from Friends

There Is Nothing Good at the Bottom of a Bottle 71

Nothing Good Comes from Complaining 75

Nothing Good Comes from Feeling Sorry for Yourself 81

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished 85

Be Humble, and Guard Against Pride 89

Be Trustworthy 93

It's Going to Be Okay 99

Count Your Blessings 103

Make the Most of Your Time with Others 107

Part 5 Maxims from Acquaintances

Beware of "Woe Is Me" 113

Nature Puts Life in Perspective 114

Feed and Water the Mules 119

Never Have a Bad Day 123

Part 6 Maxims from Songs, Books, and Movies

To a Man with a Hammer, Every Problem Looks Like a Nail 129

Anger Is Your Enemy 135

To Have Success, Study Success 141

Live to Love and Love to Live 147

If You Limit What You Love, You Limit Your Life 153

Be Your Own Person, Not Some Puppet on a String 157

Epilogue 161

About the Author 165

Editorial Reviews

04/27/2020

Former financial executive Britt shares in his spirited debut the tenets of wisdom that have helped him gain strength, courage, and enthusiasm. Britt has prayed for wisdom throughout his life and sought spiritual guidance by connecting to a higher power. He peppers personal maxims throughout the book (“There is a God, and it is not you”), many of which he mines from his family, friends, books, and movies. His persistent mother imparted the maxim of “doing the right thing” and his career Army father taught him that “the bed is your enemy” (in other words, don’t waste the spiritual energy granted by God). A grade school teacher taught him that nothing good comes from complaining, and his hunting guide helped him appreciate nature and the magnificence of God’s creation. Each common sense piece of advice is accompanied by insightful “Questions to Ponder,” such as “when you face trials and uncertainty in your life, what role does doubt play?” Christian readers in particular will appreciate Britt’s genuine guidance driven by deep faith, but any reader can appreciate his testament to picking up life-changing wisdom from those one knows best. (July)

Publishers Weekly