Older and Wiser?

The older we get, the wiser we become. Right? Not necessarily. Many emails circulate and eventually may come back home. This story has made the rounds and you’ve probably bumped into it more than once.

An elderly gentleman went to see his doctor due to poor hearing. He was fitted with hearing aids and sent home. When asked how his family enjoyed having him hear again, he responded, I haven’t told them yet. I just hang around and listen to their conversations. I’ve changed my will three times already.

Chances are he became wiser, not because he was getting older, but because he wised up. At times, I suppose, we’re better off not hearing everything that is said. Then, on the other hand, sometimes it might be a good thing.

For those who have had a sobering senior moment when they’ve thought they have increased in knowledge and wisdom simply by virtue of having lived a long time, this may or may not have occurred. It may be true that as we age, we mellow (but don’t count on it). If we were stubborn early in life, we will probably be stubborn later in life (but perhaps our stubbornness has been somewhat subdued because we may have mellowed a little).

Since knowledge is increasing at an enormous rate, wisdom hasn’t always kept up. Years ago, a handshake could have been more binding that a detailed, binding contract today (which with our accumulated knowledge, not necessarily wisdom, has learned how to find loopholes).

We seniors are envied because we are supposed to be wise Olli duffers. Maybe we are. Maybe not. Even so, the younger generation may give us the benefit of a doubt when we act wiser than we are although many youngsters don’t seem to be quite as adept at forgiving as we would like them to be. Sometimes a little humility surpasses an abundance of experience and limited knowledge. It is probably OK to tell our 6 six-year-old grandson that we have no idea who or what Spaceman is. We may actually grow in his esteem if we ask him to inform us (and actually listen).

Oh to be wise. Beats being smart, clever, shrewd, cagey, a know-it-all. What does being wise really mean? Among other things, Having the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; sagacious: a wise leader. That a verb. Here’s a noun: Method or manner of doing . . .

Ha, yes. The ability to discern what is true, right, lasting. Judging by the behavior of some of our leaders and would-be role models, the ability to discern what is right seems to be a lost art, regardless of age. We seniors should give this some attention as we age, surrounded by a host of witnesses. Being wiser ought to be identified by the ability to discern between right and wrong, truth and falsehood, short-term (temporary) and long-term. Maybe the Olli duffer mentioned above was not far off in rethinking his will.

On the other hand, since he changed his will not once but three times, he seemed to have some difficulty in living up to the noun of being wise. Being wise is not only being of a sound mind, astute, perceptive and knowledgeable, it also involves the manner of exercising wisdom. But what does that mean? Simply, we can exercise wisdom in the wrong way. Our attitude is so important. Being wise militates against being a know-it-all, a braggart with a condescending manner. Unfortunately, age is not enough to beget wisdom, i.e., the right kind of wisdom.