Wisdom and Knowledge

Knowledge is the expertise, skills, and facts one has learned through education and experience; Wisdom is the insight to act upon your knowledge in a way than improves your life and those around you. While some people might focus on the importance of knowledge and others wisdom, one really needs both skills in order to lead a fully fulfilling life.

Increasing knowledge means more than going to school to get a better job—although that might be an important step for you. Education is really a life-long interaction with the world and people around you, giving you the experiences that will help you succeed and appreciate all that our short lives have to offer us. While it might seem that gaining knowledge would be as simple as going to classes or reading a book, building upon the virtues that give us the desire and open-mindedness necessary to learn will allow you to be open to new experiences more often and fully benefit from them.

If you look at the list below, it might seem these are character traits instead of skills that one could develop, but please believe me when I say that all character traits and abilities can be created or improved by giving yourself the opportunity to use those traits. Take creativity, for example. If all you do is watch TV, you are allowing other professionals to do your creative work for you. If you take opportunities to imagine what a better sitcom might look like, take up painting, or try to hand-make creative gifts for your friends, you are using the parts of your brain that are dedicated to creativity and over time that ability will grow.

This program is designed to improve upon such character traits, including those that will lead to your growth in personal knowledge and wisdom. Look at the traits below and try to imagine how your life might be different if those abilities became an inherent part of who you are. Creativity will make you more beneficial at the work place and more enjoyable to your friends—it will also help you apply knowledge in interesting ways! Curiosity will give you the motivation to take every opportunity to learn new things. Being open-minded will allow your mind to be changed, and this will not only make you be open to more information but also show you what is truly right for your lifestyle. The love of learning is making the habit to do the work behind learning—and enjoying it the entire time. Perspective and wisdom will help you use your knowledge and skills in a way that is mutually beneficial to you and your community.