Gather knowledge, but don't forget to practice wisdom.

"Knowledge is learning something every day. 

Wisdom is letting go of something every day." 

~Zen Proverb

When we've been through some giant experiences in life, and we are older, it's easy to feel like we have something to share.

Perhaps it's attainment of an advanced degree, a lofty position in our career, or survival of one of life's gut punches - but we often come out on the other side feeling like we have something to share with the world. And in the beginning, we do try, and even energetically put forth our knowledge. But if you've ever sat in the classroom of a Student Teacher or freshly graduated rehabilitation counselor, you'll know what I mean when I say something is still missing.

There's a little uncertainty there, and it leaves one wondering if they truly 'believe' what they are saying.

When you have the desire to learn something, and you care about it, you can throw yourself headlong into the study of it, and you'll have many of the 'answers.' I don't think I realized how empty this kind of knowledge could be until I went through a major life event and went searching for a way to live through it. I wanted a cure or, at least, a path that I could reasonably follow out of the darkness. I wanted answers, and I assumed the answers would bring me wisdom.

I thought wisdom meant knowing all the answers all the time.

I believed I was pretty self-aware, and by taking in every book and teaching I could get my hands on, I would certainly be an expert. I soon found myself sitting in groups with others who were experiencing this same process, and I would wax poetic. But more often than not, I sensed the people I was talking at didn't want to hear all that I had learned. They just needed someone to listen.

What I’ve since realized is that wisdom does not mean “knowing” all of the answers.

Realizing those facts took wisdom that came from time and experience. Because all that you have learned and feels true for you is not what seems true for others around you, and that’s okay. The greatest books of spiritual and intellectual knowledge will often be experienced differently by other individuals. If we don't remember this, we will fall into the trap of using our knowledge as a way to make others feel less 'wise' than we are. We show tiny tolerance for those who have a different belief system, and we use harsh judgment to defend our way of doing things. That breeds ugliness, not greater understanding.

Indignant self-righteousness has become commonplace in our culture.

I think wisdom has a minor amount to do with being right, at least not in the way that puts another person down. So often we fall into the trap of wanting to be right not so that we can help another person but so that we can prove that we are somehow better, or smarter, than them. I've been on both sides of this coin, I'm sorry to say.

Wisdom is not just in the details - but in how something is said.

This truth tells us that even the youngest and least learned around us can teach with wisdom if their words are shared with the intent of bringing about a better result. Oh that we may all check our intentions more carefully when stepping out to share with others the knowledge life has given us.

And perhaps we'd do well to practice our wisdom skills alongside our book smarts.

May you get an 'A' on your tests today.

Cheers.