Own Wisdom
Realize that everyone is fallible. As you gain your own wisdom and experience, you’ll find that those you looked up to as mentors have their own failings. Don’t hold people to such high standards that their mistakes shock and repel you. Strive to see people’s humanity, which means not holding them up on pedestals but taking the bad along with the good.
Every child reaches a moment when he realizes his parents aren’t perfect, that they’re struggling to find the right path just like everyone else. Reaching the point where you see your parents as equals, people who mistakes just like everyone else, is a sign of maturity and wisdom.
Practice forgiveness when someone you revered makes a mistake. Try to empathize with people instead of kicking them when they’re down.
Be humble in new situations. As Socrates said, “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” It’s difficult to fully grasp this concept until you’re faced with a life situation that completely stumps you. No matter how smart you are, and how many experiences you’ve had, you’ll encounter times when the line between right and wrong seems fuzzy and you aren’t sure what choice to make.
Don’t go into a new situation presuming that you know just what to do. Examine the problem from all angles, meditate or pray, and then act according to your conscience. It’s all you can do.
Accepting your limitations is a high form of wisdom. Know what you have to work with and use your talents to the fullest, but don’t pretend you have more than you do.
Think before acting. Take as much time as you need to deliberate on a problem before making a decision. Think about the pros and cons, taking your experience as well as others’ advice into account, so you make the wisest possible choice.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Turn to someone you think of as wise and ask for advice. However, even advice offered by someone you wholly trust should be taken with a grain of salt. Ultimately, you are the only person who can decide what’s right for you to do.
Act on your values. Looking to people, religious tenets and books for advice and wisdom will only get you so far. Don’t just accept a set of values because that’s what you were taught. Ultimately, your values should be aligned with your conscience, that gut feeling that tells you what to do based on what you know to be true. When you have a big decision to make, call up your values and stick to them.
For example, let’s say there’s a person at work who’s getting bullied, and you know sticking up for him will make your boss angry. What’s the right thing to do? Think carefully and decide what’s most important to you: keeping your job or helping someone who’s hurting.
Stand up for your values in the face of criticism. This is no easy task, since throughout life people will tell you what they want you to do. Separate your values from those of other people and do what you know is right, no matter what.
