What is wisdom? Wisdom is a constant determination to grow as a person, spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Being wise is seeking the best choice at this present time, and it’s being aware we have control over our life, through thought, word and action. The only control we’ll ever have is through thought, word and action, and by constantly reminding ourselves to seek wisdom and ultimately the best pathway for our lives.
Seeking wisdom is to contemplate our choices, the pros and cons, and to seek what is best for our soul and overall well-being. When contemplating our choices we should assess whether we’re making this choice to satisfy our urges and impulses, or if we’re seeking the choices that are ultimately for our well-being. The opposite of wisdom is acting on urges and impulses which neglects contemplation, reflection, and the outcome of a decision.
When satisfying only our urges, or impulses, we don’t reflect whether these choices are for our own good, and for the well-being of everyone involved. Urges and impulses without contemplation result in poor choices that may feel good for the moment, but they end up hurting us more in the long-term.
Being angry and bitter may feel good for the moment, however, over the long-term anger and bitterness hurts us more and it gives us a sour outlook on life. Complaining about our lives and being pessimistic never brings happiness or gratitude, and when we’re in this space, we don’t appreciate the people in our lives along with everything in front of us.
Wisdom is seeking what resonates with our soul, not merely our physical senses. Seeking our soul is seeking our spiritual evolution, and it’s seeking what brings lasting joy and happiness. It’s seeking what brings inner peace, and gratitude, not merely satisfying an urge or impulse which only last momentarily.
Impulses are action without contemplation, and action without contemplation doesn’t consider the possible outcomes in a decision. Action without contemplation doesn’t seek what brings joy and happiness in the future, it only seeks this present moment.
When we make choices based only on this moment, we neglect the future in front of us. When we smoke a cigarette, we don’t consider the fact that if continued, we risk a host of health issues along with a decreased life expectancy.
What happens when everyone in the room is doing drugs, and we feel awkward, so we experiment? One time turns into two times, then we get addicted to the feeling and then our life spirals out of control.
What happens when you say I feel so stressed, I need a drink? Sooner or later every time you feel stress you revert to alcohol to reduce stress, rather than dealing with your stress the right way, through your thoughts.
Contemplation is wisdom, and assessing the options is wisdom. Seeking inner peace and lasting joy is the right pathway. When we seek what brings inner peace and lasting joy, we don’t get lost in the moment with something pointless that will bring more harm than good. Then in 20 years from now we will thank the day we sought wisdom rather than acting on impulses without contemplation.