The older I become, the wiser I become. I have always admired Asian cultures who revere their elderly; They receive so much respect for they have lived longer than the youth and thus have more wisdom. Now, American society doesn't really do this and so we often have senile senior citizens. I remember studying in college about how strong our thoughts and views can shift our behavior, and in the end it can determine our fate- since many countries in Asia actually believe that their elderly are wise and helpful, they tend to live longer and have less issues with conditions like dementia. Whereas, Americans see their elderly as a burden and helpless, and therefore we have all these issues with memory loss and shorter lifespans.
Wisdom isn't necessarily ABC-knowledge or textbook-smart. It often comes from having actually experienced events and circumstances. The difference between Wisdom and Knowledge, is the fact that Wisdom is indeed interjected and balanced with personal judgement. So, not all wisdom will help everyone, but it is also much more elevated than Knowledge.
Recently, I've been struggling with the lesson of: Letting things go. No, not material things. I've actually relieved my life of many "possessions", since moving so much over the years. I'm talking about other's reactions, actions, and statements that are negative. I suppose, one could say that I'm a "sensitive being". Still, I struggle with this and the more personal the negativity is in relation to myself, the harder it is for me to just move past it.
My life experiences, mentors, and teachings have lead me to the wisdom that: what comes from other people in the forms of words and actions are always a reflection of themselves, not the individuals that they may aim at.
I recognize and realize that no matter what someone does to another, the true issue is within the one who delivered. If someone hates another, they are the ones that have a problem inside that would even allow them to hate someone. If someone decides to make an devious action towards another, then they are the ones who have lost their way or are unbalanced. If someone spews nasty words at another, the spewer is the one who needs a better and more controlled vocabulary. -Examples could go on...........
I also recognize that Wisdom is not automatic and a lot of the time it is not easily accepted. Just for the pure fact that Wisdom is more than knowledge, makes it hard to follow and adapt; especially if one has never really experienced fully or similarly to the action, it can be difficult to even understand. All good things take time. Every day I am working on balance within and trying to reflect that balance without. Sometimes I have to realize that I can't help everyone. If I see they are headed down a bad path or will have a difficult journey, that journey is their own. The individual's journey has been my biggest help through this struggle. I know that everyone has their own path to take and it's for them alone to walk. No matter how much guidance and assistance they seek or receive, they must complete the journey for themselves and it's personal.
Yet, at times the words and actions directed at me still can create a pit in my stomach, make me angry, or sad. This is also a topic related to emotion, which is another piece of the myself that needs to be put in check sometimes. It's hard to go through daily life at times when the negativity is right in front of your face. Though I know, sometimes the best way to overcome obstacles is learn to dance with them directly, and what better way then to have it within your own walls?
As I continue to work through this, I post this blog entry not seeking pity or sympathy or applause, but to allow others that may have this same struggle see that it is a real work in progress. Once mastered, I know we will have much more clarity and positive consistency within our lives, but first we have to learn to get there. We are not born with this amazing skill and it only gets more chaotic as we grow. Very seldom do we encounter people who practice this skill daily or even understand it and the need for it.
Any advice or suggestions are always welcome.
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