We are in a state of unknowing for the most part with regards to this modern day mind reduction. The conversations we have, the shows we watch and the books we read are as much a part of us as the food we eat and the company we keep. What we take in we become. What we put out comes back to us. Today you have to seek out the literature and study that asks more of us. It’s easy to find people behaving badly, it’s easy to find people who disagree, and it’s even easier to find reasons to feel hopeless. But what if the goods we’re being fed today is only part of the story?
At any time there are atrocities being committed and there are compassionate acts of kindness. What we see are the atrocities. The atrocities sell. They make us tune in and make the broadcasting corporations hit their targets. The compassionate acts of kindness almost defy today’s communication channels, hanging in the side lines, asking us to look away from the tragedy for just a moment, but it takes effort and it takes a willingness to believe that good does exist.
We don’t see things as they are; we see things as we are.
I have some friends (probably like we all do) who like it under their dark cloud and have set up shop for life there. This doesn’t seem to be honouring their purpose in any way, but it’s a known quantity – a decision they’ve made for themselves, unknowingly. As they get older I see their sphere of influence narrow and their loneliness grow, but at least they feel right I guess, the world does suck, so there. If only they could see their world sucks because they BELIEVE their world sucks. It seems like such a simple concept, but one many will pass on not learning.
On The Wisdom Page they have defined 48 characteristics of wisdom. It’s not a step process, but if every day we chose only one to focus on and cultivate within ourselves, in 48 days we may just find ourselves feeling a little lighter, a little wiser, seeing the world as a better place and attracting the kind of people who are already demonstrating wisdom in their lives. Like attracts like. The wise attract the wise. Perhaps in knowing we actually control our own level of wisdom rather than inherit it, we can find within ourselves a desire to live a happier and more fulfilling life. Maybe this year, we should plant a wisdom garden in ourselves, and reap the benefits of the harvest for the rest of our lives.
Forty-Eight Positive Human Characteristics
That Have Been Associated With Wisdom
compassion
responsibility
positive attitude
integrity
acceptance
self-knowledge
detached concern
adopting multiple perspectives
empathy
aliveness
appreciating ramifications
caring
attentiveness
commitment
desiring the good of the whole
cooperation
intuitive understanding
curiosity
willingness to risk
equanimity
fairness
generosity
self-acceptance
discernment
gratitude
deep understanding
hopefulness
wonder
humility
dedication
insight
joy
kindness
nurturance
self-investigation
openness
patience
self-actualization
peacefulness
reflectiveness
respect
self-sufficiency
serenity
sound judgment
truthfulness
vision
appreciating significance
breadth of considerations