Gauge and Grow Your Wisdom: Be the Wise Owl 

What is Wisdom?  What it isn’t, 

It is not what you acquire at old age, it is however, something you acquire along the way on your life’s journey.   Socrates (an ancient Greek philosopher) gave people of his time, “Know Thyself” as a central theme in his teachings.  From there he sought for people to basically be aware of their thoughts, actions and beliefs.  What does that mean for us today, well it means that nothing has really changed if you want to develop your wisdom or to observe how wise you are or wish to become then you need to pay attention to your own life. In this instance, you must examine your values, strengths, weaknesses, and delve into your psyche to understand yourself better—what drives you and why.   

Wisdom develops over time.  We start learning from infancy as we grow into adults having learnt some lessons in life.  However, that is a never-ending process until we die.  To become better at cultivating your wisdom, it is important for you to make time to think about your life and your experiences.  Wisdom invites us to live authentically, embracing the ups and downs that we face throughout our lives and to see them as opportunities to grow.  This is also how you grow your resilience. 

Socrates’ students also gave us ‘Know your Limit.’  This statement tells us that we must guide ourselves to know what drives us in our actions, and what makes us want to.  In our day-to-day activities, we sometimes don’t even think about how we spend our time, we just do. We can become so mechanical that we forget to think about why we are here and what’s our purpose to be here? So, what does your limit mean?  It means how much do you focus on what you do. How much do you do in a day?  Do you push yourself to the limit before you realise where time and your energy have gone?   These are all physical aspects of our busy lives.  Whether physical, mental, emotional or otherwise, knowing our limits is about knowing where you stand so you can plan and grow or protect yourself from burnout and over thinking things.   

I want to share with you some famous quotes:

Socrates:

"The unexamined life is not worth living; To find yourself, think of yourself."  (469-399 BCE)

Confucius: 

"It doesn’t matter how slowly you go as long as you don’t stop."  (551-479 BCE)

Barack Obama:

"The future rewards those who press on.  I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself.  I don’t have time to complain.  I’m going to press on."  (2012) 

Steve Jobs: 

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.  And the only way to do great work is to love what you do."  (2005)  

Returning to the essence of wisdom, it fundamentally revolves around how you treat yourself and others, as well as understanding the reasons behind those actions—serving as two key foundations for personal growth. It is part of your human development that you must or should be very much aware of.  Observing your own nature in what you do and how you view the world are essential elements to your development for your wisdom.  As you deepen your self-awareness, you uncover your unique wisdom, regardless of your age. By nurturing this wisdom, you refine your ability to make thoughtful decisions, prioritizing long-term outcomes over fleeting short-term gains. This journey also strengthens your resilience, enabling you to navigate adversity, embrace challenges, and grow stronger through the process. 

Wisdom also enriches personal development by empowering individuals to navigate conflicts with empathy and understanding. This not only enhances relationships but also fosters gratitude and a sense of purpose, ultimately leading to a life filled with fulfilment and meaning. 

The world is in greater need of wisdom than ever before, and the encouraging truth is that it lies within reach for everyone.  Start by asking yourself:  What can I learn from today?  How can I act with kindness and clarity in all that I do? 

Remember:  The journey begins with a single step – and with every step, you’ll find yourself closer to a life of meaning, purpose, and fulfilment. (Confucious) 

TIP: Make journaling a regular habit. Take time to sit quietly, reflect on your life, and consider the direction you're heading. Consistency in this practice can lead to greater clarity and self-awareness. 

Ready to explore what meaning looks like for you? Book a free clarity session and let’s start uncovering the wisdom within. Call Dolores on +61 450 747 529 or email [email protected] to schedule a time.

References:  

Grossman I, Brienza J P, The Strengths of Wisdom…, Journal of Intelligence-MDPI.  Google.  (25/11/2024), 

Deep Thinkers – Wisdom. The Encyclopedia of Philosophy.  (20/11/2024) 

Positive Psychology, Wisdom, Google. (18/11/2024)