Wisdom: Older and Wiser

 Do you think expectations about the “wisdom of the ages” puts too much pressure on seniors?  What exactly is wisdom anyway?   A definition in the book “The Mature Mind,” by Gene D. Cohen, M.D., PhD. looks at wisdom in a philosophical sense.  The author gives the development of wisdom a number of interpretations that are all grounded in the insights gleaned through everyday living.  Past experiences tends to integrate your thinking skills, your emotional intelligence, judgment, and social skills in a way that enable you to anticipate future consequences.

 

Wisdom is the element that makes human-kind unique.  It embodies the capacity to teach, to transmit wisdom and skills, and serves as a repository of our culture.  This alone amplifies the importance of older adults to our cultural heritage.

 

Insight is the key.  When you were younger you felt that you knew it all, but found that you were still unable to put everything together and figure out the important stuff.  Today you know how to raise new questions and consider alternatives before jumping to conclusions, which is the foundation of what we call wisdom.

 

The brain never loses the ability to learn.  A number of studies cited by the author, show us that cognitive abilities peak not in young adulthood, as previously assumed, but in midlife and beyond.  Wisdom is learning how to make wise choices by involving the logic and intuition. 

 

To think, to decide, and to act wisely requires full access to your memory library, which is why older people fear losing their memory more than they fear death. Being old does not mean that you have used up your brains capacity to remember.

 

Forget about pressure.  You will never in your whole lifetime be all things to all people and you shouldn’t think that you have to be.  I love that Dr. Cohen views wisdom as wisdom with a big “W” and wisdom with a little “W.”  Basically this is what it is all about.   Wisdom with a big “W” is big stuff like the democratic and humanistic ideas found in the U.S. Constitution.  Little “W” wisdom deals with how to solve squabbles on the playground or giving relationship advice to a struggling youth.  Problems are intergenerational. We suffered the same insecurities that our grandchildren are enduring today, but we lived through it and persevered.  Is that so hard?  If you listen to yourself you will hear little tidbits of wisdom fall from your lips every day, things you have just learned by living for a very long time.  Forget about pressure and feel free to share your memories and experiences.  You have a great deal to offer and if you kept it all to yourself you are robbing your family of an important part of their cultural heritage.

 

 

 

Comments

[Mike Looney]

Great post! I always wondered and admired my grandfather's composure in conversation. It was clear he had been through a lot (Great Depression, WWII, to name a couple) and had spent adequate time thinking things through. Thanks!

Mike