Socrates said an unexamined life, is not worth living.
Highly intelligent people are always in a constant, curious quest for knowledge, different views, perspectives and freedom of expression. Nothing is more important – a life without wisdom, change, balance, creativity and openness may feel empty.
How can we be wise…? Based on personal life lessons, guess…
1. Challenge positively
The first secret is to actively challenge the validity of our usual ways, beliefs, mostly handed down by narrow opinions, age old traditions. The aim is not be a rebel, but weigh its value and reward, so it doesn’t restrict, imprison us from living the life we deserve, keep us in darkness, despair, ignorance, stifle innovation or happiness. Any ideology that doesn’t sprout from our experience, analysis, learnings, intuition or understanding, but from methods or expectations of others, will be questioned.
2. Seek knowledge and listen
Therafter, with a clean slate, begin our own journey inwards of self discovery, dive deep into our intellect, emotions. Also, seek insights from multiple sources, listen intently. Think with an absolutely open mind, no denials or escapes, be truly flexible for evolution, calculated change.
3. Apply our knowledge
Knowledge becomes wisdom only once applied. If we want to be respected, we need to be truly honest, live and express ourselves authentically, without any fear.
4. Learn from our mistakes
Once we apply our knowledge, it’s very likely we fnd we’ve made a few mistakes. Society has conditioned us to believe that making mistakes is bad, but intelligent people have realized, making mistakes is exactly what helps us, become wiser to follow our own path. Our trust in our own inner knowing, gives strength, faith and determination, to actively clear blockages, pursue our aspirations, face challenges with no fear of the unexperienced, feel quite liberated to stand up firmly and take inspired actions.