The Key To Wisdom

Knowledge is power, but if that knowledge is not tempered by wisdom, it could be said that the knowledge and the power are wasted. Wisdom is the use of knowledge to improve ourselves and our lives in more than a material way, and to teach, help, and encourage others, so their path is easier to walk. To be wise is to put knowledge to good use and improve our lives and the lives of others.

Know that a person can have great intellect, but if they are blinded by arrogance, they are governed by their bias. Anything that contradicts or negates their beliefs can be rejected out of hand. A person can have great knowledge, but without empathy, compassion, and an open mind, they can do as much harm as a child performing open-heart surgery.

A wise person knows and accepts that they will make mistakes and chooses to learn from them. A wise person does not believe in absolutes. They understand that with new knowledge and understanding, something that is considered to be a fact in the present might not be so factual in the future. They see nuance, layers, and patterns. They understand cause and effect, the power of a choice, and reward and consequence. They are curious. They are insightful. They are patient. They are discerning. They listen. They observe. They know and accept that the more they learn, the less they know. They laugh at both life and themselves.

The key to wisdom is knowing that you are here to learn and choosing to see a lesson in all that you do and experience, not just from books and practice.