by Margaret Evans, Director of Lifespan Learning
Trying to describe wisdom to young children and youth is a daunting task. Using language to describe it may actually take you further away from its truth than when you first began. Wisdom is best shown through action. Because it is elusive to many people, wisdom calls others to it when witnessed through a ripple effect. This month, together with your family, try to create your own ripple effect. Here are some suggestions for activities based on this month’s theme …
♦ Go apple picking. During your time in the orchard, ask your family to consider what had to occur for the apple to be grown. How does this feel when you think about it? How might you reconsider how you think of the apple?
♦ Share a story of a wise person, perhaps a grandparent or a friend, with your family. What is it about them that led you to consider them a wise person? What did you learn from them? Why are they important to you?
♦ Parents, if you have 23 minutes, listen to the TED talk called Barry Schwartz: Using our practical wisdom which can be found at http://tinyurl.com/omavszl.
♦ Kids, a great movie that teaches the value of wisdom is Disney’s Kung Fu Panda. Listen to Kung Fu Panda as he searches for wisdom.
Wisdom is rarely something that we can force upon ourselves but it is found in learning through experience and understanding. Part of its beauty is that most of the time you stumble upon it. Other times, you can achieve it. Whichever way you find tiny morsels of wisdom, hear the call to share it with those around you.