Wisdom Strategy: Wisdom goes with the flow
This is Just the Road We Are On
"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible." -St. Francis of Assisi
 It's springtime here in Washington, DC. Cherry blossom trees are in bloom and the soil smells doggy - not exactly fragrant but appealing if you like dogs. Last week, I walked in a fresh rain to my neighborhood art theater and watched the movie Young at Heart. It's about a group of seniors from Massachusetts who sing rock and roll in the Young at Heart Choir that performs all around the world. Now, wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age (people can live a long time and be none the wiser for all of their happiness and troubles), but those in the Young at Heart Choir certainly revealed their wisdom in a heartfelt way.
While filming, two beloved members of the Choir passed away. That became part of the movie. Although it evoked sniffling and sadness from the audience, the men and women in the Choir kept right on singing and dancing, giving some of their best performances. I wondered, How could they do this?
I realized that the Choir members weren't indifferent to the loss of their friends, but they've learned that they can't control such events. As Choir member Eileen said, "This is just the road we are on." What she means of course, is that this is the road we all are on. As much as the road of life is paved with adversity, each adversity contains within it a silver lining. Even when whittled down to bare bones, the Wise put on their fancy clothes, pick up their instruments and keep on living.
Do you see how doing this makes wisdom an active, not a passive quality?
Being willing and able to "go with the flow" contains an equal measure of acceptance and pro-activity. Wisdom grows when you accept the loss before you with an attitude of excitement and openness about what might appear when the dust settles and the smoke clears. When it comes to wisdom, going with the flow is movement.
What are you facing right now that feels devastating or presents a possibly unmanageable hardship? As you experience this overwhelm in your present situation, can you also sense what silver linings might come out of this? A new situation in life? A new attitude? A new insight? More productive habits? Perhaps even a new understanding of wisdom that lights the road ahead of you?
Wisdom goes with the flow.
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| The Six Steps of Wisdom Out
Going with the flow is one of the six steps toward becoming wiser. Look for discussions and examples about each of these steps in future Wisdom Out newsletters.
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| Do You Know a Wise Couple?
Wisdom Out Relationships seeks to illuminate the nature of wisdom in couples - to shine a light on the way wise couples got together in the first place and how they navigate the travails of life together.
Can you refer wise couples we could interview? Please submit your nomination by going to the referral page at http://www.wisdomout.com/nomination_form.html
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Book Announcement - GREAT NEWS!
I'm pleased to announce that my co-author Doug Reeves and I just received word that our book Renewal Coaching will be published by Jossey-Bass. My research from Wisdom Out has been fundamental to my contribution. I'm grateful to Doug for merging the ideas from Wisdom Out into the Renewal Coaching process. I'll keep you posted on its publication date.
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Wisdom Quote
"As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say.
I just watch what they do."
--Andrew Carnegie
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