Are faith, wisdom, and ideas on the chopping block amid our information overload.?
Sage Wisdom
“Wisdom is ofttimes nearer when we stoop than when we soar.”~ William Wordsworth
The wounds and pain that we suffer are the very experiences that provide us with information to navigate as we progress along the winding path of life. It has been said that the bamboo reed growing in the wetlands must be cut, carved and smoothed in order to make sweet music. This is not only true of the reed but of us as well. The wounds that we receive can serve to define us in ways that allow our own unique music to play while assisting and inspiring others. They should never be seen as cuts that have left us unattractive.Most of us think that we know everything when we are thirty only to find at fifty that we know almost nothing. My grandfather used to say; “Too soon old…Too late smart.” When we finally recognize that our experiences can be used to benefit those who struggle with their own distress and suffering, our lives will take on a new dimension. The fullness of understanding and real wisdom will follow. We will begin to intuitively know what to do and what to say when people ask our advice and counsel. While intelligence is something with which we might be endowed at birth, true wisdom only comes with time and age.
Robert Kenneth Jones is an innovator in the treatment of addiction and childhood abuse. In a career spanning over four decades, his work helping people recover from childhood abuse and addiction has earned him the respect of his peers. His blog, An Elephant for Breakfast, testifies to the power of the human spirit to overcome the worst of life’s difficulties. We encourage you to visit and share this rich source of healing, inspiration and meditation.Contact Bob Jones on Linkedin Bob Jones’ blog An Elephant for Breakfast
Spiritual Awakening; From Pain to Wisdom
Seeking Wisdom On The Journey
The Graying of Baby Boomers; Some Challenges of Ageing in the 21st Century
The Wisdom of Tigger
"Tiggers never go on being Sad," explained Rabbit.” ~ A.A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner
I have always been a Tigger person. His bounce and exuberance can be both wonderful and annoying. But more than anything, Tigger continually revels in his uniqueness. “The most wonderful thing about Tiggers is I’m the only one!” He thoroughly knows his character assets (cuddly, awfully sweet, a wonderful chap, loaded with vim and vigor and of course…fun).He constantly explores the things that others do well and always fails in his attempts to emulate or duplicate. Then, Tigger does the most wonderful thing, he accepts and then embraces who he is. Finally, he continues to celebrate.There is a happy philosopher and mystic in our Tigger. The Persian poet Hafez tells us that God only knows four words; “Come dance with me.” Tigger only knows four words; “Come bounce with me.” He embodies the wisdom of ‘thisness’ as described by Duns Scotus who said the absolute freedom of God allows God to create, or not to create, each creature.Its existence means God has positively chosen that creature, precisely as it is. In other words, each and every one of God’s creation is unique, one of a kind and specifically chosen to exist. The mold was broken at your birth as demonstrated by your DNA. There has never been and will never be another one who is just like you…and me…and Tigger.As Holy Week comes, pointing our way to Easter perhaps we might hope, dance and bounce our way along. I believe that God has a dream for us to live life fully with an ever-expanding joy. God loves for us to be wonderful (wonder-filled) things…Tiggers one and all.“Human beings are most fully human when they realize that they are creatures and give joyful response to the Creator. All that we are and all that we have comes from God; we are part of God's dream for a good creation using our freedom to do God's will.” ~ Verna Dozier
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Photo by Dimitar Belchev on Unsplash