October 7, 2007

What Makes Us Wise?

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 7:16 am

I've been thinking . . .

about wisdom. What does it mean to be wise?

Liz-Strauss-September-2007-Sunrise-Lake-Michigan


Am I wise because I’ve known me for a long time? I know what knocked me down and what it took to get back up again. I can’t fool me. I’d have to do some serious choreography to avoid seeing the part I play in each. When I rise it’s because other people help me and when I fall it’s because I ignore them.

Is that wisdom or learning?

Am I wise because I’ll always reaching for my prime? I keep it out there on the horizon with the morning sunrise on the lake. It grounds me. I’ve realized that I’ve got one life to mold into a decent human being. It’s a big job to attend to with a universe of possibilities.

Is that wisdom or learning?

Am I wise because I know that incredible people are the only kind that I meet? Every person is wonder. Everyone brings something I can learn or make my own. It’s amazing — We are a university of humanity.

Is that wisdom or learning?

What makes us wise? Is wisdom something we only see in other people?

Does wisdom fade when we get closer?

Liz's Signature


Filed under Motivation/Inspiration, Successful Blog |



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13 Comments to “What Makes Us Wise?”

  1. October 7th, 2007 at 9:55 am
    Karin H. said

    Does wisdom fade when we get closer?

    Hope not!
    But agree with the feeling. Perhaps it seems to fade because we’ve learned again and don’t see it as ‘wisdom’ any more? Upwards and onwards to new ‘wisdom’?

    Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)

  2. October 7th, 2007 at 10:00 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Karin!
    Happy Sunday!
    Maybe it’s overwhelming to be with wisdom up close in the form of one our friends. We might need to balance it with our own wisdom and call it just normal. :)

    Nothing wrong with that I suppose — angels probably don’t think other angels are special. :)

  3. October 7th, 2007 at 11:48 am
    Joanna Young said

    Maybe wise is the person who never thinks they are wise?

    Happy Sunday to you too :-)

    Joanna

  4. October 7th, 2007 at 11:59 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Joanna!
    I do think that the wise one probably never feels wisdom. It would be wise not to. :)

    I’m so glad that you came by here. :)

  5. October 7th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
    Benjamin Bach said

    Hey Liz
    I love “Am I wise because I know that incredible people are the only kind that I meet?” - you are wise because you recognize the value and opportunity inherent in everyone you meet!

    Keep up the AWESOME blogging :)

    PS - check out my site’s new layout that I mentioned to you last night on gchat - I’d love to hear what you think !

  6. October 7th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
    Pamir said

    “The Tao that can be spoken of is not the Tao.” So starts this seminal work. Yet wisdom that can’t be applied it useless. I suppose the balancing act is to have wisdom as a deep well within, let it inform your choices and stay humble.

  7. October 7th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
    Phil said

    I think that someone who is wise knows that they must always keep learning. Is that the connection you are looking for?

    Maybe it is hard to tell whether you are wise because it is an objective thing and you are very subjective to yourself.

  8. October 7th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hey Bejamin!
    Thank you! You’re one of those incredible people you know! :)

    I’ll come look. :)

  9. October 7th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Ah Pamir,
    Thank you for saying it with the use of the Tao. A well deep within is where true wisdom belongs. Staying humble does seem to be a quality that would a priority of wisdom. :)

  10. October 7th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
    Benjamin Bach said

    Thanks Liz
    I attribute that to the people I spend time with, in person and online. It’s easy to be incredible when I know people like you, Rosa Say, Phil G etc. Smart friends make a smart person!

    Bach on,
    Benjamin

  11. October 7th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Phil!
    I wasn’t looking for any answer that I know. Though I think that your suggestion that wise ones are always learning rings true in my heart.

    Maybe the objectiveness need is why we can’t still see wisdom up close.

  12. October 7th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
    Aruni said

    The wise walk among us and know the best they can do is guide and influence the ones who seek wisdom themselves. Wisdom is a never ending journey fraught with joys, pains, ups and downs because without those experiences they cannot connect and share with others.

    Thank you for the thought provoking post!

  13. October 8th, 2007 at 4:12 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Aruni!
    Thank you for participating. Your thoughts make mine grow. :)

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