Bits of Wisdom Podcast #30

“Where a man’s wound is, that is where his genius will be.” Robert BlyThis small utterance struck me when I first heard it because I love an overcomer story. That person who, against all odds, comes back and wins the championship, slays the dragon, or receives the crown. But what about the story of the perfect winner? No big challenge, just a gift of excellence that takes them to the win. This story is not interesting. It’s incomplete. Why? Because there is no mountain to climb. There’s no obstacle. It’s not real.Many people put on their masks of perfection before they venture into the public eye, but everyone knows it’s a fairy tale. We sometimes shy away from this person because we don’t trust them. Intuitively we know they’re fake. But when someone comes along and talks about their imperfections, challenges, and what they had to overcome, we pay attention. Why? Because everyone has been wounded. We’re not perfect. We’re all members of the tribe, the walking wounded. We know perfection doesn’t exist, so when we see someone parading around with their groomed poodle, flashing a Rolex, and sipping a fat-free, sugar-free latté, they don’t even pass the sniff test.On the other hand, when we see someone who’s struggling to get by, we want to help them. We can relate because we’ve been there. We all struggle, and some of us overcome. When we overcome, we can tell the whole story—of brokenness, temporary failure, and re-birth—and then we have a message that touches people. Why? Because everyone is wounded, and sometimes, where a man’s wound is, that is where his genius will be.I’ve been writing, recording, and sharing these bits of wisdom with the world for more than six months now. Have they made a positive impact on your life? If so, share them with someone else who might benefit from them. Terry Weaver is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit terryweaver.substack.com/subscribe