Source: Medium
Author: Thomas Oppong
Wisdom is knowing what works for you, not just what other people think is right for you
Knowledge is power, except without application, it’s only information that changes no one.
Knowledge is what you know (facts, figures, information, data etc.)
Isaac Asimov once said, “The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.”
Wisdom is a state of mind in which a person understands, perceives, and wisely relates to the world. This can come from experience, knowledge, or an intuitive understanding of things.
It’s the outcome of our experiences and the lessons we learn from them. It’s not something that can be taught or learned; it is a natural ability that everyone has to some degree.
“To understand the actual world as it is, not as we should wish it to be, is the beginning of wisdom,” says Bertrand Russell.
Wisdom is not just a set of facts but values and principles that guide your decisions.
Wisdom is also what you know, but how you know it, why you know it and how you apply it. Although knowledge can help you succeed in life, it pales in comparison to the benefits of wisdom.
Knowledge is empowering, but wisdom empowers you even further.
You can only navigate life’s ups and downs if you are wise, not knowledgeable. But you need knowledge to become wise.
Wisdom comes from experience or seeing things clearly, which usually comes from experience. Wisdom is a reverent understanding of life’s complexities.
Wisdom is not just something that happens to you; it’s a choice you make daily from your experiences.
Everyone has access to wisdom, but not everyone chooses to embrace it or see the world in such a way that leads to greater wisdom. That’s why so few people have wisdom as opposed to knowledge.
Knowledge is checking the rearview mirror before you begin driving. Wisdom is knowing to look up from time to time, too.
Knowledge is thinking about the future and making plans for it. Wisdom is understanding the future won’t wait for you; it will start without you, and catch up with you sooner than you think.
Knowledge helps you succeed on exams and win arguments, but wisdom enables you to understand why those things are important in the first place.
Knowledge helps you ace tests and impress your friends, but wisdom gives you the tools to cope with failure and rejection.
Knowledge opens doors to many opportunities, but you need wisdom to survive and thrive. And although knowledge might feel like an unending well that never dries up, wisdom requires an endless thirst for more knowledge.
Knowledge can only take you so far, and wisdom can take you the rest of the way. Knowledge is just information.
Knowledge is no substitute for wisdom
“If you desire to be wiser yet, think yourself not yet wise.” — Wellins Calcott
Wisdom is the ability to apply that knowledge in a way that makes sense to you, in your own life, at your own pace.
Wisdom is knowing what’s right for you, not just what other people think is right for you. Wisdom is knowing what’s true for you, not just what other people say is true for you.
Wisdom is knowing what works for you, not just what other people think works for you. Wisdom is knowing how to do things right, not just what others think works.
Wisdom is knowing when to change and when to stand still, not just when to change and when to stand still. Wisdom is knowing how to solve problems, not just what answers work best.
Wisdom is knowing how to get unstuck, not just going with the flow. Wisdom is knowing yourself and your limits, not just doing whatever everyone else does.
Wisdom is using knowledge in the right context and with the right attitude.
Wisdom requires self-awareness and self-confidence. Wisdom is about knowing yourself and how you relate to other people.
It’s about recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, knowing when to trust your instincts and when to listen to advice from others.
Wisdom is about using knowledge in ways that make a difference in your life and the lives of others, too. It’s a rare quality among people. But you can develop it with time and effort.
Wisdom is knowing when to trust your gut feeling and when to ignore it. It’s knowing when to act and when not to act; an important life skill that can be learned over time.
A great deal of wisdom can be learned from experience — what worked in the past may not work in the future.
The best way to learn wisdom is to experience life or take action consistently. This challenges your preconceptions increases your tolerance for uncertainty, and broadens your perspective.
It also helps you build a storehouse of knowledge and experience, which can be drawn on when you need it most.
“Wisdom comes only through suffering,” Aeschylus said.
Wisdom takes time to develop and cannot be gained overnight. It requires self-reflection, determination and patience.
If you want to succeed in life, build your wisdom muscle. You can start by reading books, applying what you read, learning from people smarter than you, and talking to other people with similar experiences.
Source: Medium
By: Thomas Oppong
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