"Those who do not learn from history, are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana
******
Wisdom is one of those things in life that's easier perceived than it is defined, or even definable. It can take many forms, from age-old aphorisms to simply observing (and remembering) what's gone on around you.
To me, wisdom is the result of accumulated experience; go around the track enough times, and you, if you're smart, start to learn what works, and what is likely to turn around and bite you in the ass.
I was twenty-four when my Dad died; sadly, it was not until I was about twenty-one that I realized he wasn't just talking because he liked the sound of his own voice. At least I had those three years; the lessons I learned served me well to this day. Of course, leading up to that realization, I had all the answers, anyway; what could that old fool teach ME?
As it turned out, quite a few things. Dad knew he was dying, and one of his fervent goals was to teach my brothers and I as much as he could in the time he had left. The longer I'm a Dad myself, the more I understand; the urge to have your children not make the same mistakes you made is a fairly ordinary act of fatherhood.
Wisdom as an accumulation of life experiences can also manifest itself as a feeling of comfort in one's own skin. After about 40, I had settled into the routine of family and career, and many of the pursuits of my youth were fond memory. To some, this serves as the quintessential "mid-life crisis"; in my case, there was almost a sense of relief. I had about a 20-year run as gadabout extraordinaire, and I finally realized I didn't miss it at all.
Now, with 12 & 14-year-old boys myself, I'm getting ready to sit on the other side of the table, and assume the other side of the argument. Much of the initial discussions will be futile, at least as I'm likely to view it, but it's a long view I need to take on this. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that this will take time.
Is that wisdom? We'll see.
Until next time,
Excelsior!
