What’s the difference between knowledge and wisdom? If you had asked me that a few years ago, I would’ve told you that knowledge was knowing what you had to do, and wisdom was knowing when to do it, or more importantly sometimes, when not to. But lately I’ve come to realize that there is a different way to look at this.
Because the way I was looking at it was proactive, not reactive.
As I’ve mentioned recently, I’m going through one of those “growth moments” right now. It’s forcing me to confront some parts of my past and my psyche that really isn’t fun, and there have been sometimes recently where I’ve just kind of stood back and looked at the universe and thought “really?”. The timing of certain events has been enough to make me feel like something is being done to me.
Which is where the reactive definition between knowledge and wisdom comes in.
I decided that knowledge in the reactive sense is understanding that you are being taught a lesson, and that wisdom is really a faith in the universe that is doing the teaching, and also the faith that things will turn out okay. That kind of wisdom only comes from sparring with the universe over a long period of time, and realizing that things usually do fall into place.
Even when it feels like they are falling apart.
But I’ve realized there may also be a greater value in this method of teaching that the universe employs. It’s often said that in the classroom environment you learn, and then you take the test, whereas in life you suddenly get tested, and then you learn the lesson. I think the value that comes from that kind of experience is a certain level of empathy for those going through the same kind of testing.
And also a certain level of authenticity when explaining the lesson yourself.
And I think that authenticity is vital when it comes to helping people. When I look at the list of people who I respect and listen to, they’ve all had a significant measure of seasoning on their souls. Some have lived lives that I can’t begin to imagine, and yet have pushed themselves through the darkness of their stories, and found a sliver of light to share with the world.
While others have chosen to live lives that are very different from the normal.
How someone comes by that seasoning on their soul is not as important as the lessons that they learned from their experience. I have learned from men who lived with violence, and who chose to respond with peace. I have also learned from those who suffered unimaginable horrors, and yet found a meaning in the experiences that could enlighten others.
All this to say that if I complain while going through my own seasoning, I’m probably missing out on the chance to learn how to make life better for others.
Yet sometimes, there are situations that we can’t make better, and the only thing we can do is be present for someone, and share the empathy that we have learned through our own lessons. I think that’s when the darkness we have struggled through can most be transformed into a light for others, because we have a sense of what they are feeling, and somehow, someway, they can sense that.
And it makes a difference for them, as well as us.
When I was younger, I would actively complain and rail against the universe for my trials and my lessons. As I grew, I could at least see the benefit of the trial after it was done, although I was still ungrateful. Experience has helped me to have moments of gratitude within the trial, although I will be honest and say they have been few and far between.
My hope is that one day, I might reach a point where I can just be grateful the entire trial through.
Because that gratitude becomes a lens through which we can interpret the experiences without so much pain and anguish. That’s not to say that pain, sadness and anguish aren’t going to happen, because they do, and we cannot run from them. Rather that if we can employ our experience, sit with gratitude for the lesson, and find a sense of wisdom in the moment, we might learn other lessons that we could have missed during the times that we were complaining.
Of course, all of this is so much easier written than done.
But what I’m hoping is that all the truths I’ve learnt from my prior lessons will help me walk through this one just a little easier, and just a little quicker. Because even though I think there is a lesson to be learned where I am at right now, I would like to get through it as quickly as possible.
Because sometimes, things just suck, and all you can hope for is that sooner or later the lesson will be over, and you can rest with the growth that you have gained.
And personally, I’d like to get to that point as soon as possible.
— Dr. Alan Barnes
@maddrbmusings