We learn in many ways, involuntary being one of those ways, often categorized as, learning by osmosis.
I dare say that everyday there is something new to learn. However, I think the most impactful learning is by choice, where one refuses to be held in petulant resistance due to disillusionment but rather choose to push through all its constraints and disappointments into self-enlightenment.
My Young Self:
I use to think that people who've endured traumatic hardships were the wisest. I don't know why really. I guess my thinking processes were along the lines of, 'if one suffered great hardships they ought to be lessons attained from the experiencing.' At least I thought they should be. Well, you know the saying about when one assume (Ass-U-Me).
My Older Self:
What I've learnt observationally and in relationships is that suffering does not guarantee learning, nor does it automatically equal wisdom. Truth is, in order for wisdom to bloom, to take root and manifest, it must first have fertile soil in which to germinate. The soil of willing introspection and accountability. The germination comes with the willingness to shift, to invite change, to examine ones self critically without judgement, and to, of ones own free will, take accountability and responsibility for ones personal growth.
Wisdom comes with action (it does not work otherwise), the action of your incentive participation in ones own growth. Hence, you making the choice to, learn from your mistakes, from your poor judgments/decision making, and from your unwillingness to get out of your own way siphoned from willful stubbornness; thus the lessons that births wisdom propelling you into your own excellence.
Learning is a choice
It's Accountability
It is the gift, you give yourself
Wisdom is the tool you gain
by which you can then USE
to navigate the world
If you choose not to learn,
you are guaranteeing your own
pain and suffering.
If you fail to be accountable
For your words, ACTIONS and behaviour
You are choosing to be right in your wrongness to save FACE
Thus, creating your own ISOLATION and assuring, you will always feel
alone and misunderstood.
Nobody's perfect.
Perfection is a phantasm to self-delusion
Everybody has to learn in order to grow
to reach their excellence.
There is a absolutely no shame in that.
One of your enduring qualities has been a teacher of what you have observed... but only after you have reflected and considered what might be the impact of your words.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. There is an African proverb that states: "Those who learn, teach; those who teach, learn." I do my utmost to adhere to that philosophy from a place of humility.
DeleteGood read
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Deletehave a great weekend.
Yes, its true. People are destroyed due to lack or wrong knowledge.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. There is hope though, if we choose to learn from the experience, then we are better off and equipped for the next encounter should it mirror the first.
DeleteI love learning
ReplyDeleteIt's a good way to grow and expand your landscape of knowledged.
DeleteThat African proverb you mentioned in the comment is so very true. We used that idea teaching our students, by having them also teach other kids needing help.
ReplyDeleteVery good, it is a way of solidify our duality of roles. Sometimes we are the teacher, sometimes we are the student, each position has its value.
Delete