“Be wise enough to walk away from the nonsense around you.”
Did you know that an eagle can foresee when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? Instead of hiding the eagle will fly to some high point and wait for the winds to come. When the storm actually hits, it’s sets it’s wings so that the wind can pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle soars above it. It uses the storm to lift it higher…it rises on the stormy winds which others dread.
That is the eagle’s wisdom.
Attaining wisdom is a challenge and a very personal quest. Contrary to popular belief that wisdom requires education, it does of course, but education does not necessarily make people wise. We can’t equate wisdom with intelligence or being knowledgeable though we can all intellectualize without really understanding the essence of things.
Why is it tough to acquire wisdom? Because wisdom can’t be taught though it can be developed and merely listening or reading wise thoughts and sound advice does not ensure the transfer of wisdom
So what makes a person wise?
I think, first, it would be humility which means to accept that there are things we will never know; to recognize ones own limitations. By having this self-knowledge we not only bear our own infallibility but we can go on to do something about it.
It is only through our own experiences, learning how to cope with life’s dilemmas and tragedies that we discover our own capacities to create a wise perspective. Through overcoming difficult situations we can learn an increased appreciation of life and the recognition of new possibilities.
Unfortunately there’s no guarantee that we acquire wisdom with the passing of years, though the older we get the more capable we are of the wiser choice, but many may never put their life experiences to good use.
The second and most important step in the attaining of wisdom is the enhancing and broadening of the big picture perspective. It is essentially an alignment and integration of knowledge, experience, a deeper understanding and a true acceptance of the uncertainties of life.
A calmness washes over our life and we function from an insight that offers a long term view and the result is a happier, balanced and more fulfilled life. We experience more empathy and consideration for ourselves and others, the consequences of our decisions are clearer, and we can embrace uncertainty as a part of life.
Seems like a daunting prospect? Easier said than done?
Not really! Let’s begin with small steps that ensure incremental improvement and steady progress.
A little wisdom can go a long way!
Cheers!
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