Hello friend,
I must confess. Words fascinate me and always have. My first dictionary landed on my school desk, a red hardcover with over one hundred pages of words waiting to be found. Excitement. Intrigue. Curiosity. Words to fill a child’s mind with possibility.
One word never flew from the pages—wisdom. What seven-year-old thinks of growing wiser or needing wisdom? I certainly did not.
But now? I wonder how much, or if, I have entered into the elusive world of the wise.
According to Merriam-Webster, wisdom, a noun, is the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships. The wise display insight and good sense.
I searched for others’ thoughts on wisdom and accumulated several insights. Could that be wisdom knocking? I will spare you the hundred or so and keep it to five.
Moments fly by. Think how much we miss when the undertow of our busyness drowns a child’s smile, a sunset, or the last word spoken.
If I want to get better, I must learn to know what I can change and still face my deepest fears.
What does it mean to have a loving heart?
Compassion. Empathy. Patience. Non-judgment. Peace. Love.
Those are good places to begin.
I walk on slippery ground the moment I believe, “I know.” Invariably, something remains hidden for me to find and learn. I may know a lot, but I don’t know everything.
You can’t gain wisdom from reading about life. You must live it, mistakes and victories alike. My most profound learning comes from my reflections on my actions—how they influenced the consequences, others, and my next steps.
Wise words taught me wisdom is not a noun, but a verb, an action—actions we choose every day of our lives.
See. Face. Love. Know. Live.
Freedom is not just another word we toss around half-heartedly.
Journalist Krista Tippett offers three practices for wisdom and wholeness and answers “How do we stand before the pain and promise of the world and keep hope and courage alive?”
A few songs reflect wisdom about the universal human experience: I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash, Only Time by Enya, and Playing for Time by Peter Gabriel.
“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.”
—Eleanor Roosevelt
If you would like to read more from me, visit my website. I’ll be there waiting for you.
With gratitude,
Kathryn
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Wisdom, a verb. Oh yes! Hugs to you my lovely wise friend. Let’s get wiser together.
Lovely as ever!