What I Know About Wisdom
“You are just sixteen years old. You are nowhere near as wise as I am,” my mother shouts as I elucidate why I am responsible enough to attend a certain event or as I try to explain my viewpoint on certain situations. At this point in the argument, I know any chance in getting through to her has diminished. Like me, she refuses to back down from anything she deems correct. However, since I am the “feeble-minded teenager”, I realize that it is my turn to walk away. There is no point in arguing anymore. She’s pulled the card of no return.
Although I adore my mom, I of course make attempts to fight back. I explain that wisdom has many definitions, and typically in the modern world do not include anything to do with age.
I explain that I have been through traumatizing, painful experiences just as she has, and I explain that I have loved and lost. Just as she has. But no, my argument is totally and utterly invalid
, as per usual.
Sitting in my room in an annoyed, raging state, I remember an entire lesson that was taught to me by a former English teacher about wisdom itself. We learned about the archetype of “old and wise”, and how it has some truth to it, but it definitely does not occupy the entire definition. At this point, I decide to do some digging for a definition of my own, and I come across two in particular that seem to support my opinion and contrast with my mother’s. The very first definition that appears on my miniature glowing screen reads, “the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment.” Nothing about age or specific numbers- just a simple definition that proves that a sixteen year old such as myself could absolutely have just as much wisdom as her middle aged mother.
Straight from Dictionary.com, I find another alike definition that reads, “the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.” Both definitions claim nothing to do with how many years one has lived on planet Earth. They were solely based on experience and knowledge.
My mother is a very smart woman, and yes, she is wise, but I believe I am wise, too. I may not know what it is like to do some things that she has, but I know that have been through some things as a member of the first generation to experience technology as a metaphorical body part that she hasn’t. Maybe I will never be able to get through to her, but I know I will not be satisfied unless I continue my efforts to (respectfully) argue with her until I physically cannot.
During our nightly conversation, I mention all of the definitions I’d found that night proving me right, but her response to it is of course what I had already pictured. We both laugh, knowing just by each other’s eyes we will never agree on anything. I almost continue trying to prove my point, but based on past experiences, I figure that letting it go is probably the best idea.
Now, wouldn’t you say that requires a good bit of wisdom in itself?