“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” ~ Socrates

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For years, I have felt drawn to the concept of the wise fool.

While I didn’t come up with the term myself, it’s possible that I have created my own definition for it. I’m not sure. I welcome you to do the same.

For me, it’s not so much about wisdom or foolishness, but rather an attitude with which we embrace life. A gentle irreverence to remind ourselves that, despite the seriousness of much that goes on in the world, we needn’t take ourselves too seriously.

It’s just that, in life, despite our various certificates, qualifications and dedications, most of us don’t really know much about anything, do we? Perhaps I speak only for myself.

With any luck, we work hard at whatever we do. Learning as we go along. Regardless of who we are. Gaining wisdom, or not. Learning lessons, or not. Acting like we know why we do what we do—or not.

The more we know, the less we realize we really know. The deeper down the rabbit hole we go, the further there is to go. Until we decide that’s quite far enough, thank you very much.

Discernment is a thing, at times like these. In all things. With the right eyes, everything and everyone becomes our teacher.

Until, eventually, we realize that we are both wisdom and foolishness. And that they are two sides of the same coin.

In my opinion this is quite a freeing notion. One to embrace.

One to set us free from our fretting and self importance.

“An honest man is always a child.” ~ Socrates

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We are,

all of us, wise fools.

Adrift on a sea in

and out of time.

 

Learning the ropes as we walk them.

We encourage grace to grow in our hearts.

 

We make mistakes.

Embrace lessons

and learn to thrive.

 

Collecting peace of mind,

despite the land-mines of time

and the fretful angst of our human-kind.

 

We’re in a parody of illusion.

Strung from puppet strings of pride.

Let’s keep our eyes sharp, our arms wide.

Never lose that beginner’s mind;

Faith that comes from having a light on the inside

It says:

 

“It’s okay.

We’re all just wise fools.

Sit back, and enjoy the ride.”

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“Wisdom begins in wonder.” ~Socrates

And as I often like to say, whatever comes—don’t forget to breathe.

 

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Author: Catherine Simmons

Image:  Sinan Ceylan/ Flickr

Editor: Toby Israel

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