Wisdom

Wisdom

 

By John W. Vander Velden

 

There are those that know little but speak a great deal.  There are those that know much yet never speak.  Neither offers much benefit to those around them. (Anonymous)

 

Surely you have noticed, those that chatter on and on.  They constantly speak of anything that passes through the mind at any given moment.  Whether or not they have any real knowledge on the subject is irrelevant – the words flow unstoppable.  Perhaps in your polite-ness you have nodded, as quietly you endure the verbal deluge.  What I find most interesting is the confidence they carry as the drivel on. 

But perhaps there is another side.  In everyone’s desire to “fit in”, the means to do just that, might include talking.  That the words flow not out of confidence but because of the lack of it.  Each person seeks to be “liked”, yet some just don’t know how to go about it.  This is not to say that there are no “arrogant buffoons”, only that not everyone that prattles on, is one.   

It remains important that we, each of us, do not fill the position of all knowing, advice providing, yappy individual, that no one truly likes, and in truth does little social good, other than to drown out others with more sensible voices.  Times come when we believe that we alone, hold the only knowledge about a particular subject.  The phrase, “listen twice as much as you speak”, fits here and is a difficult rule to follow.   

Then there are the silent ones.  Those who do not share their thoughts.  Some are well educated yet do not offer any words that might aid.  We might observe them and wonder if in their minds, they feel grateful that they do not face similar difficulties, though they know precisely what course would best handle that situation.  That would express a different kind of arrogance.

But is that fair – for us to assume another’s thoughts?  Is it fair to believe only one reason exists for any person’s actions?  I would think not.  The things that drive a person’s actions are as unique as the individual.  So what is the essence of wisdom…and who holds what is wise?  I for one do not have even the slightest understanding of that question, except perhaps to recognize that I do not know.  I recognize that each woman and man is complex – no single idea fits more than one.  That the things I feel or understand might be very different than the things or understanding of any other.  That though it is often difficult, I must not to measure others by the standards I set for myself.

I see myself little more than a fool -- muddling my way through my life – continually making new mistakes – but learning a few things in the process.  So I see the single most important part of this question hinges upon – love.  The word that has been watered down in our times.  But I know that GOD loves all – and that speaks volumes.  To care – first and foremost – about one or more to care about others, lifts us, and opens our hearts to understanding.  That through understanding perhaps knowledge can grow.  By understanding others better, then perhaps we will know when to speak and when to remain silent.  And perhaps that is the door that can lead us toward wisdom

 

(555 Words)