H.G. Bohn is credited with saying, "Wise men learn by other men's mistakes, fools by their
own." When we arrive at important decision making moments in our lives, it's important to
look to those who have real life experience related to the matter we are considering for direc-
tion and counsel. We were working throught some of that at our dinner table last night. Our
oldest son will graduate from high school this spring and his brothers will follow in consecutive
years. In an unusually wise moment he actually asked what we thought about some of the
choices he was considering. Sometimes we feel like we have to make some decisions in life
much faster than we really need to. More times than not we realize that after we made a hasty
decision. Some of the most important life decisions we make are based on what someone else
is doing. Many spur of the moment decisions aren't thought through. Some spur of the mo-
ment decisions find us asking ourselves questions like, "What have I gotten myself into?" Some
people seem to be able to afford to make a poor decision or two and others quite honestly can't.
One of the more interesting collections of writings included in the Bible we find in the Old Tes-
tament with the title, Ecclesiastes. These writings are the journal of conclusions of a man that
had the time, the money and the energy to pursue anything and everything he laid eyes on and
his heart desired. Unbelievable to many who take the time to read his journal are his conclu-
sions. His journey left him, deflated, disillusioned and empty. The Bible refers to Solomon the
writer of Ecclesiastes as the wisest man to have ever lived and yet he concluded, " as I looked
at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless-
like chasing the wind." Ecclesiastes 2:11 NLT
With that said, let's consider the words of H.G. Bohn for our conclusion. If wise men learn
by other mens mistakes, fools by their own, would it not make sense to see if there was any-
thing in Solomon's journey that did bring happiness and satisfaction? If we could spare our-
selves all the frustration, sleepless nights and emotional drama, wouldn't that make sense not
to waste our lives and our time exploring what someone has already discovered? If you are
looking for long term happiness and genuine satisfaction in life I encourage you to embrace
Solomon's conclusion.
To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness.
Ecclesiastes 2:26 NIV Some of you will not believe Solomon's conclusion and will have to
find out for yourself. Contrary to popular opinion the path to happiness is found in the living
a life where we make it our aim to please God. The tragic reality is that many people will waste
an entire life looking for happiness in pleasing themselves and then find out too late that
Solomon was right, "It was all meaningless-like chasing the wind."
