How smart are we? I believe we’re not as smart as we think we are. However, how wise are we? I believe our level of wisdom comes from a different place than sitting in a class. It is often an internal process. It may be rooted in action-consequence experience. It may even by wrestling with questions.
The questions often shift following the diagnosis of a chronic or life-threatening illness. Our first question is what did I do? Interestingly, it’s often the first question others ask when they leave your presence after hearing about your diagnosis.
I remember facilitating a cancer support group and when a new member joined, the group would go around and introduce themselves. The woman who joined the group went last. Her introduction started with her name. She then shared she had been diagnosed with lung cancer. The next words out of her mouth surprised me. She said, “No I never smoked!” Interesting because she cut everyone off at the pass.
Did her proclamation encourage group members to question their assumptions? I’m not sure, but you can tell she had sideswiped some of the group’s projections about blame. Why is blame a place we find comfortable? Wisdom provides us a cloak of comfort. It establishes a sense of agency. It gives us the essence of resolve.
Facing an illness doesn’t make us wise. It’s what we do with the diagnosis that makes the shift. Do we become more compassionate of others in their own difficult situations? Are we generous with our time if someone needs some assistance. I understand we all have limits, but what are we opening ourselves up to? It may be as simple as going beyond pleasantries in a conversation. What would happen if you asked one question beyond where you normally stop?
Wisdom is about expansion. It’s about experience and using the experiences as building blocks for healing!
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Pilgrim Pathway 
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