During my college years, one of my standout courses was philosophy. It became clear that as we age, our perspectives on life undergo significant changes. A 70-year-old possesses a worldview markedly different from that of a 17-year-old. Unfortunately, many individuals skate through life without recognizing this crucial truth. This oversight is, indeed, vanity and vexation of the spirit.
Many members of this forum are in their 70s and even a few in their 80s. At this stage in life, the reality of time's brevity hits hard. It shifts the focus toward passing on what one deems to be invaluable knowledge. Highly skilled builders may feel that there’s little left to learn, or that time has run out for further learning. This, too, is vanity and vexation of the spirit.
Reflecting on my time as an electrical supervisor, I recall a pivotal moment when I learned something new from a green helper. In three-phase circuits, the color coding—black, red, or blue for 120 volts, and brown, orange, or yellow for higher voltages—was something I thought I fully understood. She pointed out that if you divide a circuit number by 6, the remainder indicates the color of the wire: (1, 2) black; (3, 4) red; (5, 0) blue. For example, with circuit 77, dividing it by 6 gives a remainder of 5, therefore circuit 77 corresponds to a blue wire. Despite my extensive knowledge, this inexperienced helper taught me something valuable.
The lesson here is about maintaining an open mind to embrace knowledge from all sources, regardless of their level of experience. Many pass through life and miss out on this wisdom, and this, too, is vanity and vexation of the spirit.
Some individuals may attempt to confuse you with their BS. Others might aim to impress you with their brilliance. And then there are those who genuinely believe in their truths but are willing to humble themselves when presented with contrary evidence. This distinction is vital. Ultimately, recognizing these dynamics is pivotal in navigating through life's complexities. This, too, is a reflection of the vanity and vexation of the spirit.
