What is one of the most important aspects of life wisdom?
It’s often said that wisdom comes from experience. Once upon a time – like many so-called folk sayings – this was taken at face value. We absorbed it, internalized it, and “used” it as if it were our own truth.
But is it really true? Or rather – is it the whole truth?
After all, we know people who keep “hitting their heads against the wall.” They go through pain, disappointment, and lose hope that maybe one more hit will hurt less and finally get them what they want.
I, too, have acted this way more times than I care to admit.
Until one day, a question appeared in my mind:
Is wisdom really just about experience?
And if so, why do some people, despite countless experiences, never seem to grow any wiser?
(I’ll skip life’s major dramas and tragedies here – that’s a subject for another post.)
Let’s ask ourselves a few questions:
• Does running in sandals, followed by a fall, scraped knees, and bruises, make us wise?
• Does getting a speeding ticket, caused by haste and circumstance, make us wise?
• Does waking up late, rushing, and stressing before work – make us wise?
And yet, many of us repeat these same patterns again and again.
So – does every single experience automatically make us wiser?
The answer is no.
Because wisdom doesn’t come from experience alone – it comes from reflection on that experience.
One of the key aspects of life wisdom is the ability to reflect on what has happened or is happening in our lives.
The formula is simple:
Experience + Reflection = Wisdom.
Reflection – meaning the ability to notice details, understand cause and effect, create a recovery plan, and actually implement it.
Because if we don’t make changes, then what’s the point of reflecting at all?
Sounds simple, doesn’t it?
But it’s not that simple.
Why? Because – and science confirms this – our brains love shortcuts.
Example?
To stop being late in the morning (if it’s a recurring issue), all you need to do is get up earlier.
Problem solved?
Not quite.
Because then we need to ask more questions:
• Why are we getting up late?
• Maybe because we’re not getting enough sleep?
• And why aren’t we sleeping well?
This is where the full reflection process begins:
• Do we put down our screens two hours before bed?
• Do we stop eating three hours before sleep?
• What do we eat for dinner – is it something light and nutritious?
• What time do we go to bed?
• What’s our sleep environment like – mattress, blackout curtains, bedroom temperature, noise levels?
And so much more.
At this point, someone might say:
“If I had to analyze everything like that, I’d never get through life!”
And they’d be right.
The goal is to reflect on what truly matters.
Because if we fall while running in sandals, the reflection is simple:
Sandals are not for running.
End of story.
(Though, sure, some folks might still dissect even that situation for deeper meaning 😉)
Let’s remember – happiness is a process. ✨
Thank you for taking the time to read this post.
If you found it valuable – share it on Facebook or pass it on to someone who might benefit from it.
This post wasn’t created by AI, but by HI – Human Intelligence 😊
Wishing you well,
M.W.Harmony