By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. — Confucius
It might be natural for you to get a lot of satisfaction from entertaining others.
Someone else might get much satisfaction from accumulating a fortune.
Still others, having others outwardly express their love for them.
There are a lot of possible motivations for people.
The best one—because it will serve you the best in the long run—is to be a Wisdom Seeker.
Wisdom is the characteristic, after all, that allows one to make good decisions.
Value and seek wisdom above all.
It’s worth putting a reminder on your daily agenda.
Why be a wisdom seeker
Wisdom will minimize trouble. It’ll serve a lot of those other goals, too.
If you don’t prioritize wisdom, you might get it anyway at the School of Hard Knocks. It’s a real place, if only figuratively, though it’s not formally named that.
Experience can be a tough teacher. It can leave deep scars on your soul, heart, and body.
Sometimes experience is more of an executioner, as in “what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.”
It makes a lot of sense to learn what you can from the experience of others. You don’t want to be almost dead!
You should, of course, vet the lessons being taught. The wrong lesson isn’t wisdom.
Wisdom won’t lead you wrong.
That’s not true for the other goals/objects.
What if the people you’re trying to get love from aren’t worth the effort?
What if the money and wealth you accumulate are taken from you or made less valuable by things outside of your control?
Wisdom, on the contrary, allows you to make solid decisions. Other people and situations may still be a problem for you, but with wisdom, you have one less enemy. You’ll get out of your way.
Difference between wisdom and knowledge
Knowledge will tell you what to do. Wisdom will tell you why to do it, or whether or not you should.
Both are important. However, just as being able to prioritize helps you make good decisions, wisdom outranks knowledge.
Reflection and dream journaling
As Confucius says above, reflection is the noblest way of gaining wisdom. Imitating, and learning from others, is easier, but reflection allows you the experience to teach others and gives you examples with which to instruct. When you take the day’s experiences, go to sleep, and dream, you process those experiences.
When you interpret and understand your dreams, you gain insight into your life as it applies to you and your situation. You’re less blinded by distractions.
Dream journaling, reading good books, and associating with wise people, are all ways of gaining wisdom.
So after reading this, did I convince you that you should prioritize wisdom? What are you going to do to get some of that good stuff for yourself?
Also on the blog:
James Cobb RN, MSN is the founder of the DRS, a top blog dedicated to promoting positive sleep and dream journaling.
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