171 – Wisdom v2

Readers provided many outstanding comments on my Wisdom walk. I dedicate this walk to my readers because these are your words – not mine. I compile the thoughts and attempt to provide a common voice. Thank you, readers – and this walk is my salute to you.

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I like walking on the beach. It is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

Wisdom is a journey involving thought, guidance, and experience – gained by living with the ups and downs of life by those willing to accept the wisdom.

Wisdom involves learning from experiences and making deductions based on that learning. We learn not only from our experiences but also from the metaphorical stories parents, ancestors, and elders pass on to us. Learning from the experiences of friends, colleagues, and others that they tell us. Let’s not forget to learn from history.

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Wisdom is when we realize every person is a collection of stories. We gain intelligence through those stories – and intelligence can lead us to wisdom.

We gain wisdom through all experiences – the good and the bad – the successes and the struggles. Perhaps compassion and empathy are aspects of the realm called wisdom.

Wisdom comes with experiences. “A wise old owl sat on an oak, the more he saw the less he spoke, the less he spoke the more he heard. Why can’t we be like that old bird?” Maybe wisdom starts with listening.

Wisdom can come to us in words – in measured openness – in listening to others – then speaking when someone needs to hear the message – and admitting when we are wrong.

Wisdom is the ability to evaluate the difference between knowing and understanding – about learning from experiences, not just having them.

Wisdom gradually happens – acting slowly, patiently, and continually intertwining with the present, past, and innate. Wisdom starts with the child’s innocent smile showing trust in their parents. Their wisdom grows as a toddler when attempting to walk – trying, falling, trying again, falling again, and eventually walking.

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The wise know life is too short to be pulled out to sea by the tide of bad decision-making. Wisdom is knowing what lessons from the past are relevant today and in the future. Wisdom is accepting that you do not know.

Wisdom is everywhere. Wisdom surrounds us – in people and nature. The wise not only realize this, but they also take advantage of wisdom’s presence by absorbing it, learning from it, and growing from it. The wise relish gaining wisdom so they know not to ignore it.

Wisdom is recognizing the limitation of our human experience because we are limited as individuals and a species. Wisdom recognizes that we know very little about the vastness and complexity of existence.

Wisdom is having curiosity and combining it with the unknown -but realizing that gaining wisdom is seldom a straight line.

Wisdom is different from being smart – different from being knowledgeable – different from being an expert. Some people are smart but not wise. Other people are wise, but not smart.

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I wonder about the relationship between wisdom and common sense. All of us have had moments of being more smart than wise. Maybe wisdom is just discernment.

Wisdom involves waiting – not rushing to the next thing – favoring patience over impatience as we work toward the next milestone. Perhaps wisdom is slowing down, living, and then evaluating the moment.

Wisdom is like a seed needing time to develop and careful cultivation – but we still can be fooled.

Wisdom is like a fine wine because it deepens and becomes richer in flavor the longer it ages. Like wine, everyone grows old but not all become wise. Is wisdom a reward for survival and compensation for an aging body?

Wisdom is quite a personal thing because each person responds with wisdom in different ways, words, and actions. Even siblings brought up in the same family respond differently and have their own opinions.

I wonder some questions. If more people had the wisdom of a toddler’s smile, would the world be more pleasant? If wisdom guided each decision made in life, would life be better? Can anyone be that wise? However, the truly wise have no idea of the scope of their wisdom because they continue to learn and accept being (at times) lucky.

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Maybe wisdom is when we start to put it all together, realizing that success isn’t all luck because we gain wisdom by learning from mistakes and making reasonable decisions. However, realizing and accepting when we are lucky.

Maybe wisdom is like sunshine. As the sun shines on the people at the beach, maybe the people will let the wisdom shine. Let it shine.

I’m lucky right now because I got the chance to use the words of others about wisdom and share them on another beach walk. I’m also grateful for the wisdom to recognize wise thoughts. I may not be wise about everything, but I’m wise enough to walk on the beach. After all, walking on the beach is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

See what other bloggers have posted about Wisdom

• The Wisdom of Benjamin Franklin (an essay)
• Wisdom in Forgiveness (a poem)
• Words of Wisdom #7 (a saying and a photo_
• Folksy Wisdom (a personal essay)
• Wisdom (an essay)

Next Post: Soft – Saturday 4th February @ 1 AM (Eastern US

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