Drawing wisdom

Wisdom is highly prized in every society. Those who are wise, are respected, loved and cared for. For instance, in the past, in Asian societies, elderly people were thought to be wise, just by the process of living longer and experiencing life for a longer time.

Suddenly things are different. The scorching pace of change and the variety of new skills required to live successfully in the modern world has called this hypothesis into question. Older people often end up looking like terrified deer caught in the bright focus of head lights, especially when faced with digital challenges.

So, what can each of us do to develop wisdom in changing circumstances?  Keep pace with change. Learn digital skills professionally or from you grandchildren, if need be. Be part of a group which has younger people as well.

A network of friends who are of different ages keeps us up to date with changing moves and technologies. It has been found that people are wiser with friends. Make new friends and keep in touch with them.

Psychologists say that those who are wiser, are more satisfied with life. They are able to avoid negative feelings or replace them with positive feelings. It is even believed that wiser people are healthier and live longer. The Buddhist practice of mindfulness is said to be the most effective method of wisely avoiding stress and depression.

Wisdom goes beyond the information that the digital world offers on a platter. Learning itself, one of the life’s most joyful activities now calls forth skills never needed BI — Before IT. Skills like memorising and remembering, have become far less relevant. Modern skills include adaptability, critical thinking, risk taking and perhaps the ability to innovate.

So let us do what we can do to become wise. For it is the path to health and wealth.

— The writer is the author of Everyday Happiness Mantras and Innovation Sutra