Wisdom

Hermann Hesse said, "Wisdom can not impart. The wisdom that we might attempt to impart sounds like foolishness to the listener. Knowledge is communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, do wonders with it, but one can not communicate and teach it." So, where can we find wisdom so that we can live it out every day? I define wisdom as the ability to discern the best from three areas at the same time - 1) what's currently happening, 2) what could happen, 3) and what has happened — then applying that information at the right time, in the right way to achieve the most superior results possible. Useful wisdom requires a strong character that is rooted in sound principles. Let's look at some key elements to unlocking wisdom in our lives.
 
 3 Keys

1. Experience – Like it or not, wisdom is not something we can get from school or buy in a store. Asking for advice or opinion is one thing, but wisdom comes from processing everything we have experienced (successes and failures) and then applying it appropriately to what's before us. 

Everybody goes through struggles, but not everyone obtains wisdom from their encounters. Allow your experiences to be filtered with the truth. Know that wisdom is always closely related to truth. When adequately accessed, your experiences can help you make wise choices. Work to process your experiences because it is key to wisdom rightly.

2. Understand - To know the reason behind what's going on is one thing, but gaining that real understanding which brings wisdom requires us to know the real value or motive behind our actions and others. To reach this level of wisdom, we need to have precise purposes and focused goals. Wisdom is shown abroad when we understand our responsibilities first, accept the positions of others, and work together in unity to accomplish the greater good.

Captivate and absorb as much as you can from all the places you can; anytime you can so you can be aware of how to respond to your surroundings. You can make wise decisions when you have a clear understanding of what needs to be done. It's a key to wisdom.

3. Conscience - It's always a challenge to know exactly when to do something and when not to do something. The times when we get it right, we are often called wise. Some accredit their success to their "gut feeling." But I think our conscience reveals our true personal motives. Our conscience is the inner sense that separates right from wrong. If our motives are clear and pushing for what's right and true, we can usually conclude that we are making a wise choice even if it doesn't seem like it at first. 

Push to have your conscience directed with pure motives for what's best. Martin Luther King said it this way, "There comes a time when you must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but you must take it because your conscience tells you it is right." Have a clear (truth focused) conscience; it is a key to wisdom.

Summary - Find your wisdom by analyzing your experiences, seeking to understand life, and having a clear conscience all based on truth. Then attempt to apply that information at the right time in the right way for the best results possible in the present. Your wisdom has to be personally unlocked with each situation you face by you. In all that you do, pursue your wisdom!

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