Reverb10 - Wisdom

December 10 – Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out? (Author: Susannah Conway)


Wisdom. Hmmm. 


I know a lot of information. I know where to find even more. (intelligence)


I've done a lot of things. I know how to figure out how to do more. (talent)


I've made a lot of decisions. I know I will be making many more. (experience) 


I know how to juggle priorities. I know I will juggle more. (prioritize) 


Does the sum of these things equal wisdom? I would argue, no.


What could be missing? 


Sensitivity - I am aware of how choices affect the balance of a home, a friendship, a project design.


Love - if you do not love the process, you likely won't stick around to see fruition.


Timing - like baking the perfect cake, you need to understand when things are ready or they fail.


There are so many other variables in what comes to be recognized as wisdom. Leave out any one, and what seems to be wisdom crumbles into base motives. How many times have our decisions that we thought came from sheer well-intentioned and hard fought, anguishing decision making melts down into what you "wanted" for the outcome rather than what would have been the truly wise path.


Wisdom, therefore, has another necessary component: Surviving over time with the outcome providing reliable results. 


This year - we made a lot of decisions and some major changes. Life's path led us to the door, but it was up to us to make the choice to open it, open it NOW, commit to following through, and trusting that it was the right choice when weighed against the disruption and risk. We started the search for Karl's new career path in January 2010. Here we stand at the end of 2010, and it is clear, looking back that this choice evidenced wisdom. It took courage, commitment, trust, communication, and tons of other things. 


In short? It was a LOT of work (remember that zendoodle page, and the other journal entries along the way this year?). The results we hoped to see are beginning to appear. The path remains true, and hasn't collapsed into a temporary up-turn, a remorse of stepping on this course. It truly was the wisest decision we made this year, and we are determined to stay faithful to the effort we've begun.


I'm looking to different expressions of wisdom for 2011. I want a break to enjoy the fruits of 2010. Oh - and the runner up wise-choice? Switching over to Art Journaling (wink).


Be strong, be brave, believe.
~ky