Pattern recognition is one highest indicators of intelligence.
Closely followed is systems thinking, first principle reasoning and cognitive flexibility.
If you can optimize pattern recognition, you'll see people for who they are - beyond what they say.
One of the most dangerous people on earth are people who have nothing to lose.
The worst mistake you can make is getting into an argument or fight with someone who has nothing to lose, someone who is not ashamed of anything, has no reputation to protect, no boundaries they are unwilling to cross, and no conscience to lose sleep over the consequences of their actions.
You might be trying to resolve a dispute, but they might be willing to take a life over it. You are thinking about the consequences, your career, your family, your reputation and your future. They are thinking about nothing beyond their desire to hurt you, regardless of what it costs them. That is an uneven battle because the two of you are not playing by the same rules.
I dated a girl for a year. Wanted to marry her, but had some doubts. Prayed, and God told me, "You can marry her and you'll have an okay level of happiness, but you'll be much happier with someone else."
Took me a while, but I decided on the "much happier with someone else." so we broke up.
She started dating my roomie 3 weeks later (oof). I moved out 2 weeks later. They got married not too long after that.
Spent the next 4 years dating various girls, and nothing really clicked.
Met my wife. Started dating her, and was never happier. Was getting ready for the day one morning, the sun was shining in through a window, and I was just thinking about how happy I was with her. Voice of God came to me again saying, "This is who you'd be much happier with."
Told her the next day I wanted to marry her, and she didn't have to say it back or anything, but that's what I wanted and I wanted her to know.
She decided a few days later she wanted to marry me as well.
6 years and 3 kids later, best thing ever. Incredibly happy with her. Glad I made the decision to trust God. The most important decision of my life, and I freaking nailed it with God's help.
The other girl? Well, her mom ruined one marriage by cheating on her dad, then married the guy she cheated on him with. That *shockingly* also ended up in divorce. Then she became a lesbian. That would've been the grandma to my children. Woof!
Other girl and my former roomie are still married. No kids. Left God behind and do their own thing.
Moral of the story: Trust God, always. Be very careful who you marry. Remember that you marry the family.
In most things in life, always have options.
Don't depend on just one supplier, no matter how reliable they are.
Don't plan on wearing only one outfit to that important event. Have a backup.
Don't have only one restaurant where you can eat.
If you're interviewing for a job, don't put all your hopes in one company, no matter how certain you are that you'll get the job.
If you're running a business, don't depend on just one client, no matter how loyal they've been to you.
And if you're still in the streets, don't depend on just one person to avoid spending those cold nights alone.
Have options in life where necessary. Things change. People change. Circumstances change. What looks like a sure thing (’sure odd’ as some gamblers would say) today might disappoint you tomorrow.
I finally understand what Machiavelli meant when he said, “Never play fair in a game where others cheat.”
It doesn’t mean become evil. It means stop being naive.
Stop bringing honesty to people who study manipulation, stop giving access to people who weaponize closeness, and stop expecting clean hands from people who already showed you they’ll throw dirt.
Sometimes wisdom is not revenge. Sometimes wisdom is learning the rules of the room before the room uses your goodness against you.
In all you do, please MARRY a kind person.
Marry someone who will be kind to you even when they are angry.
Beauty may attract you. Money may impress you. Intelligence may fascinate you. But kindness will make living together peaceful. ❤️