Wisdom
If applied incorrectly, all the knowledge in the world means nothing. One can be smart, but lack wisdom. Insight comes with experience and understanding. Not only do you need to be open to information, you must also be willing to open your heart and mind to enlightenment. Learning is about accepting both the good and the bad, acknowledging a balance in life and seeing the bigger picture. Wisdom and evolution go hand in hand. You don’t need to develop a scholarly or philosophical outlook; you just need to alter your attitude. How we think alters how we feel.
How do you become wise?
Just like everything else, it is a process. You don’t attain wisdom over night. You don’t learn how to be wise from books or courses; it comes with interactions, experiences and choices. Similar to love, wisdom is universal. Wise ones are found all over the world from all walks of life.
There is no boasting in knowledge or any claim to fame, rather there is a desire to share and advise, to spread the wealth of ideas. Self-awareness is key. How will you know about others if you do not know yourself? Starting within will create a firm foundation for the rest of your journey. Finding a balance in life is also about finding a balance in your strengths and weaknesses.
It’s okay to admit that you don’t know everything – that’s how you open the portal to open-mindedness. Questioning everything is important, don’t always take things at face value because there is always much more than we see or understand at a glance. Take time out to observe but also participate. You are a crucial part of the world. Remember to think!
Seeking inspiration from others is also a path toward wisdom. Don’t be afraid to follow in other’s footsteps, but don’t think you need to fill their shoes.
Who are great thinkers?
Great thinkers are everywhere. They’re not limited to a region or genre; they can be musicians, politicians, activists, religious leaders, teachers, authors, and so much more.
One unifying factor of great thinkers around the world is their passion. They believed strongly in a cause and used their wisdom to make a change and spread awareness.
Their opinions were so effective that they still ring true today and translate across all languages. It all started with one thought.
[MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
Martin Luther King, Jr. is best known for his civil rights activism and iconic role in American history. Through his hardships and experiences, King practiced what he preached, which included non-violence and equality. His influence was widespread and his powerful thoughts were able to spur a movement.
“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”
MAHATMA GANDHI
Mahatma Gandhi spread the tenets of peace and love throughout the world. He encouraged people to respect and love one another with non-violence, inspiring Martin Luther King to bring the message to America. Thoughts are powerful. Great thinkers can influence one another and great thoughts have longevity, no matter what the situation. Gandhi believed the seven sins of the world to be: wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humility, worship without sacrifice and politics without principle.
There was no materialism in Gandhi’s wisdom and his worldly view encouraged the search for truth.
“Simplicity of character is the natural result of profound thought.”
GUATAMA BUDDHA
Buddha, meaning “the enlightened one”, was a sage who taught others to live a happy and peaceful life through reflection and introspectiveness. His wisdom was far-reaching and he did not discriminate with his teachings; he allowed people to decide for themselves and did not push his beliefs. Buddha practiced meditation and focused on compassion to avoid suffering – this meant he spend a good deal of time thinking. Instead of responding on pure emotion, Buddha approached circumstances with his mind and spirit.
“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.”WISDOM
If applied incorrectly, all the knowledge in the world means nothing. One can be smart, but lack wisdom. Insight comes with experience and understanding. Not only do you need to be open to information, you must also be willing to open your heart and mind to enlightenment.
Learning is about accepting both the good and the bad, acknowledging a balance in life and seeing the bigger picture. Wisdom and evolution go hand in hand. You don’t need to develop a scholarly or philosophical outlook; you just need to alter your attitude. How we think alters how we feel.