What is wisdom? I wonder.
Every bit of life has given me a bit of knowledge. Decisions that I once fretted, and tore paper over, whisper past me on a breeze. I don’t worry nearly as much as I once did. Have I grown more into my being? Or has my brain chemistry settled to where it always was meant to be? I walk the road that is my own and each step gets easier.
But do I know wisdom?
When I think of wisdom, I think of an old tree that has lasted by a river, through many storms and so much erosion. It knows what it means to go from a green weed to a strong healthy unbendable force holding its ground, branches spread in glory. The old tree also knows what it means to lose that stature, leaf by leaf, cell by cell, until stands frail and gnarly, with only memories of what was to replace all of the “what could bes.”
Wisdom comes with loss. Yet that gnarly tree knows. It’s learned to bend with time. It lived with nature. It let go of it’s beauty to be part of the world in which it lives. It has no reason fight the wind. It is a gentle, harmony.
Wisdom is like music. Intangible, earned through practice, and requiring a gentle giving.
What a magic feeling, how calm and how humbling, it must be to be wise.
−me strauss Letting me be.
10 comments:
I think us humans gain wisdom in many ways, and pass it on in many ways, too. Wisdom comes with loss, but it adds something more. It's like taking 2 Giant Steps back and 4 forward. The Wise One understands that and is willing to let go. The One who clings remains in the dark.
Hi Dawn,
"The Wise One understands that and is willing to let go." That's a profound and compelling statement. Letting go seems to be a very filling up sort of thing.
Wisdom is a wonder of the world.
Wise is the person that realizes he still knows nothing
Wisdom is fleeting. Just when one person thinks I might have some, I meet someone who really does. :)
When I need a cookie, I know where to come and on bended knee I give thanks and ask not. Thank you Liz.
Here's your cookie, Tree
No bended knee required. :)
You can try, but you can't make me like you more than I already do. ;-)
Now hand over the cookies. Please. :-D
Sure, hold me up with a smile.
What could I do, he had the smile?
Here are the cookies AND your favorite tea. :)
Hi Liz,
I think this is my favorite post as of late. Coming here to find a post, that speaks directly to the things I've been thinking about, is no longer such a suprise. I've actually come to smile and accept the constant irony and I never feel like I'm alone. You were my doorway into another place.
Thanks again for holding the flashlight in a dark room. I would have had much trouble finding that door on my own...if I ever did manage to find it at all.
Love,
Katrina
Hi katrina!
I love the old tree by the river too. It's so nice to see you. :)
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