Wisdom: The ability to apply relevant knowledge in an insightful way, especially to different situations in which the knowledge was gained; the ability to make a decision based on the combination of knowledge, experience, and intuitive understanding.
"Knowledge is really about facts and ideas that we acquire through study, research, investigation, observation, or experience. Wisdom is the ability to discern and judge which aspects of that knowledge are true, right, lasting, and applicable to your life."
For instance, understanding the meaning of the phrase "Restraint of tongue and pen" is an example of knowledge acquired. Conversely, when a discussion I'm having with my wife begins to veer into the contentious and it becomes apparent that there will be no winner but only losers, and I've got one more, one last comment queued up, a comment that won't go over well and will cause me pain, and I don't let it out, THAT'S wisdom.
"Aging is not about getting weaker, but is a journey of finding greater value and enlightenment or wisdom. Buddhist philosophy teaches us to respect, appreciate, and care equally for young and old lives."
I'm always comforted when I see that the basic building blocks of a spiritual existence can be found everywhere. The idea that adversity has value comes up over and over and over again. The idea that we take the set-backs - what we think are the set-backs - and turn them into a positive . . . well, that's a hell of an idea. A lot easier in theory than put in practice in the real world, but ubiquitous in our theology and philosophy.
"Time brings us an accumulation of knowledge, experience, and skills. We learn lessons from trial and error that enhance our judgment and force us to persevere in the face of adversity. Failure leads to humility, gratitude, empathy, and healthy dependence on others. Ambition and a desire for legacy motivates us to build and compose."
Any idiot can be happy when they're getting what they want. The trick is to grow through adversity. The ultimate act of dignity is success in the face of adversity.
"We will all experience eventually an event or situation that prompts a significant disruption in our initial ability to understand and cope with it. It exposes a gap between the challenges or demands of a life event and our existing strengths, values, skills, and connections. An age point might begin with a moment of crisis, trauma, or even terror, and causes us to feel temporarily stunned or paralyzed, and uncertain about what to do next. We may want and need to respond, but we don’t know what will be effective to resolve the situation and regain our balance.
Even though an age point exposes a weakness, it is also loaded with the potential for tremendous growth if we can navigate the two sides of the gulf and create a bridge to link them together. Resolving an age point makes us into more developed and capable aging adults. The greatest challenge of an age point is having to give up previous notions, identities, and ways of doing things in the service of a solution."
There's a lot of experience, strength, and hope to be found in our world that show us what happens and how to behave when we have a loss. I'm obsessed with aging right now - my loss du jour - but a death of a loved one, retirement, a move to a new city, a child leaving home for good, illness, divorce - these are all great examples of big, painful, life-altering events for which we almost certainly don't have tools on hand. If we struggle for a bit until we find out way it's OK.
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