I’m not a fan of ‘black and white’ thinking, simply because it leads to seeing life two dimensionally. Life isn’t two dimensional, my friend! If you’ve had any life experience then you know that life is more gray, then anything else. In reality we don’t want to go for gray, either. Gray is simply mixing black and white together…a compromise. I would suggest that rather than aiming for black, white or gray, let’s aim for wisdom. Wisdom is thinking three dimensionally. Below are some examples from the 20th chapter of Proverbs. If you’re a black and white thinker, then you’ll probably understand these incorrectly. So here we go…
1 Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.
This is not saying that you shouldn’t consume alcohol. Remember one of the predominant themes running through Proverbs is ‘self-discipline’. The same applies for alcohol consumption: without self-discipline, here’s what you can expect!
6 Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?
Loyal friends are out there. Generally I think we expect too much from a friendship with others. There’s a tendency to have too high expectations, and when we do that, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. Unfortunately too many friendships have crashed and burned because of that. As with any relationship, we need to put into practice the prayer of St. Francis. Make me an instrument of your peace…
16 Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.
Someone who would guarantee a strangers debt is not to be considered as someone who lives wisely. Lack of wisdom bleeds into every area of a person’s life. Buyer beware!
19 A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.
Wanna kill a relationship? Hop on the gossip train and you will definitely derail any relationship. RUN from gossip. It’s deadly.
29 The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.
Those gray hairs that you’re seeing in the mirror are a blessing…seriously! The fact that you have lived long enough to have gray hair says that you have experience, and with experience comes wisdom! C’mon gray hair!!
30 Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart.
This has nothing to do with strapping or hitting your kids. So don’t even go there. This is about physical punishment meted out by king’s officers for a criminal offence. However…this approach was seen as wisdom from that time and that culture. We know differently today because humanity learns and develops over the centuries.
Let’s choose to live 3 dimensionally! Enjoy your day 
