Chris, how does one become more wise?
Signed,
An owl in training
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Hi an owl in training,
How wise of you to ask…;)
Wisdom, dear owl, comes from experience…
It’s as basic as that.
When you “experience” something, it teaches you something.
It matters not whether it’s “life” experience, “school” experience, or “work” experience.
It ALL contributes to the depth of wisdom you ultimately develop.
Your question also causes me to wonder whether you have a blind spot relative to how wise you already are.
And if there is a blind spot, it may be due to your expectation of what wisdom is. Or it could be people in your ear telling you what they think wisdom is and suggesting that your depth of wisdom is lacking.
Let’s examine each potential blind spot…
Your expectation of what wisdom is…
Many people picture “the wise” as someone who has lived a long life and has tons of experiences/wisdom to share. And while that can be true, true wisdom is NOT limited to to old or elderly.
True wisdom is born, as said earlier, of experiences. Someone who has traveled the world and is in their 20’s has a tremendous amount of wisdom available to them. Far more than someone who has never left his own backyard.
I’m a huge proponent of journaling. This is one of the best methods for capturing the experiences you’ve been blessed to have. If you journal, you can look back and see how much you can share, with others who have never had your life experiences…no matter how “old” you are.
So if you’re thinking or expecting that you must be much older to be “wise” think again.
You are wise, now.
People telling you what wisdom is and diminishing your depth of wisdom…
As I’ve said, wisdom is born of experience. Not everyone has the same experience. Therefore their perception and definition of wisdom is limited to their own life experience. Telling you what wisdom is actually demonstrates their lack of it.
In addition, they cannot know your depth of wisdom since they have not lived your life experience. You get me? By diminishing your depth of wisdom they are once again demonstrating a lack of what wisdom and friendship (if you consider them such).
Let’s be honest, these people are not your friends. People who feel the need to hurt you, are actually hurt people. Their only way of feeling good or actually feeling past what they are struggling with is to keep you on their level…not rise to yours.
The acquisition of wisdom is a one-person job, owl in training.
No one can “give” it to you or “gift” it to you.
It is born of your own experiences in this life journey. Certainly others can impart their wisdom to you, but until you experience it yourself, they are sharing advice, guidance, insight…not really wisdom…
So in parting, wise owl in training…trust your journey and experiences to be the best gift to your being “wise” and wisdom-filled.
~ Let life love you!
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