Wisdom 16

In the previous article, we tackled wise people, who recognize life’s journey as an opportunity to learn, through any situation they experience. They also recognize that others they encounter are there for their growth, so we see them bearing love, appreciation, concern and assistance for everybody. They also learn and teach, realizing the significance of thought in shaping human conduct at present and in the future.

A wise person and potential:
Wise people are aware of their potential and utilize it in proper ways, be they mental or physical capabilities, in themselves or those around them. Meanwhile, they help themselves and others to cross life’s journey in peace, calm and bliss.

This brings to mind the story of a rich man who sat in his backyard, observing his son, playing delightedly around him with a new ball. The boy threw the ball with great force, so it lodged itself up a small tree. He started jumping up and down to fetch the ball, but could not, being too short. The boy didn’t give up, jumping continually, attempting to reach the ball, but he failed.

The father was surprised and called out to his son: “Son, why don’t you use all your potential?” The son replied, “I am, daddy. I’m trying to jump high enough to reach the ball.” The father replied, “But you didn’t ask for my help!!” Here, the son realized there are some things he is unable to accomplish all by himself.

The son had thought his potential lay only in those things he possesses, forgetting that his father’s capabilities are also accessible to him and at his service. So he focused only on using his own abilities, which were limited, compared to those of his father. This is the opposite of a wise person’s view of things. The wise would know that tasks are completed by means of the person who can complete them in the best manner. So they are aware of their potential and that of others around them too, believing that no person alone can achieve all kinds of tasks, no matter how talented he may be. To complete any task to perfection requires understanding, meticulousness and vision. The intricate vision of a wise person towards all issues makes them capable of helping whomever seeks their wise advice.

A young man in China once paid a visit to a wise old man to ask him the secret to success. The wise man replied: “Motivation is the secret to success.” The youth asked: “Where does motivation come from?” The wise Chinese man replied: “From the powerful will of humans.” The youth continued to ask: “How can we have fiery powerful wills?”

Here, the wise old man left the youth for a few moments and returned with a vessel full of water. He asked the youth: “Are you serious about wanting to discover the source of powerful will?” The youth returned: “Serious indeed.” The man asked the youth to approach the vessel of water and look inside. As the youth started peering into the vessel, the old man pushed his head into the water and would not let go!!

A few seconds passed, and when the youth felt he was suffocating, he started to resist forcefully, until he managed to break free and bring his head back out of the water. The youth cast a furious glance at the wise old man, demanding to know why he had acted this way. But the old man instead asked: “What did you learn from this experience?” The youth replied: “I’ve learned nothing.”

The old man returned: “On the contrary, you’ve learned plenty. During the first moments, you tried to bring your head out of the water, but had weak motivation, which didn’t assist you to succeed in doing so. Then when your incentive increased, you made more of an effort. Finally, when your drive became strong enough to free yourself from my hands, you managed it.” The wise old man concluded: “When you have a powerful enough drive to succeed, nothing and nobody can stand in your way.”

Truly, a wise person is aware of the vitality of these words: “People are not prisoners of destiny, but prisoners of their thoughts.” So whatever man believes in life shapes itself into his conduct towards himself and others.

Once, a tourist in Cairo decided to visit a very famous wise man. The tourist was stunned to find the man living in a single room, sparsely furnished, but filled with books. The tourist asked: “Where is your household furniture?” The wise man responded: “Where is your household furniture?” The tourist, bewildered, replied: “My furniture? I am a mere guest here and will surely eventually go home to my country.” The wise man said: “I, too, will spend some time here, then go away.”

The wise man had realized that life is transient and bound to end. That is why he sought to lead his life in a quest for wisdom, to help his fellow human beings with whatever knowledge he gleaned and learned. For wise people learn and teach, in accordance with the proverb: “Change your thinking, in order to change your world.”

And… discussion pertaining to the topic of wisdom is never-ending. But because the Wise King Solomon tells us: “Don’t be excessively wise”, it may be worthwhile to draw a breath and revise all the fountains of wisdom that we have so far absorbed!