Intelligence is
something that we can say some we are born with.
On the other hand,
wisdom, far more useful, is definitely something one can accumulate over a
lifetime. Many search for ways to become wise, but few feel they have really
achieved it. The Berlin Wisdom Project of the late 80s defined wisdom as:
- Spiritual knowledge
- Factual knowledge
- Excellent judgment
- Excellent problem
solving skills
- Ability to learn
from past experience
- Humility, emotional
strength or ability to recover from defeat
- Openness and
maturity - allowing another to see you as you really are
- A deeper
understanding of human nature, including empathy for others and other cultures
However, if you don't
think you embody all these qualities, there are SIX other ways to become wiser
in the human experience:
1. Being Social
Research has shown
that people who keep more contact with other people display higher levels of
wisdom than those who remain more secluded. Some think this may be due to new
people constantly giving us new ideas to think about, new information, new
experiences, and this enriches the mind and gives us more wisdom. So make an
effort, if not for others than for yourself. Stay in touch with old friends, go
take a course, and stay in contact with those around you, it's the wise thing
to do.
2. Open mindedness
Wisdom is the ability
to understand all aspects of a problem, without surrendering to personal
feelings. The meaning of an open mind is to find true empathy and to understand
that everyone has a life story that affects them in some way, and it is not our
place to judge. A good habit is to write down, every day, what ails you. At the
end of the day, take a look at that list and try to get a new perspective on
each problem, you'll be surprised what things will come to mind.
3. "I could be mistaken"
A smart person
understands that it is impossible to know everything, and that life always
throws you a curve when you least expect it. Acknowledging our mistakes may,
and often does, lead to greater wisdom. Remember, your ability to be wrong
shouldn't damage your reputation as a wise man, but should increase it, because
wise people know how to take responsibility for their mistakes. Nietzsche is
quoted to have said: "Wisdom sets limits on knowledge, too.” Acknowledge
the limits of your knowledge and admit when you are wrong.
4. Experiencing new
things
While we each have our
own personal tastes in books, music, art or just what is good cinema, it is
important to note that getting familiar with styles unknown will broaden your
horizons and introduce new world views, new ideas and new outlooks on life. So
put down the novel you're reading and try a science fiction story, a history
book or just a great romance. Whatever it is you almost never read, now is the
time to add some real experience in things you haven't really touched on. So
try something new, or learn a new skill - it won't just make you wiser, it'll
also keep you young!
5. Self awareness
Many will say they
have rich life experience, but when was the last time you really stopped to
think of all you've learned throughout life?
Try this exercise:
Write down your three biggest failures and your three biggest successes. Next
to each of them write some of the events that lead to it and the lessons you
learned. Look for patterns, without pride or regret, simple patterns to teach
you about how you used each experience to drive you forward. After all, knowing
yourself is the biggest challenge of all.
6. Know what goes on around you
Yes, the news is often
dramatic, misrepresented or just depressing. But it's hard to make balanced
decisions for yourself and others if you don't learn from the mistakes that
happen to others and to on larger scales, to your city, country and world. Keep
updated, read a newspaper, watch the news or just read a news site online from
time to time. Read the articles, not just headlines, and understand how you fit
into this bigger world, and where you stand.
This is crucial for
true wisdom.
