Carlos Romulo, the former president of the Philippines, won an oratorical contest in the Manila high school he attended as a young man. His father was puzzled, however, when he saw his son ignore the congratulations of one of the other contestants. As they left the auditorium he asked, "Why didn't you shake hands with Julio?"
Carlos said, "I have no use for Julio. He was speaking ill of me before the contest." The father put his arm around his son and said, "Your grandfather used to tell me that the taller the bamboo grows, the lower it bends. Remember that always, my boy. The taller the bamboo grows, the lower it bends."
Every person has something to teach us--not only those who are experts in their fields or tell us what we want to hear. Each person is a living encyclopedia of ideas, insights, facts, experiences, and opinions.
A woman once advised a new employee: "Fifty percent of the people in this organization will teach you what to do and the other 50 percent what not to do. It's you challenge to figure out which percent goes with which person." Even if a person doesn't have a good example for you to follow, you can always learn from him or her what not to do!
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.
Proverbs 1:5
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