HOW TO BE WISE?

To be old is to be wise.

Yet, so many arrive at old age

Without wisdom.

They have missed developing wisdom

In their mature years.

Hence their old age is bleak.

And they do not know

How to die in peace and with grace.

Wisdom enables you to live in meaning

To smile when you become old

To die in dignity.

How do you acquire wisdom?

It is not easy but it is possible.

You need to believe

That you are more than you are.

You have to develop the art of Transcendence

Of what is obvious and ordinary.

You must see the big picture

Into which all small facts can fit.

You need to understand that ordinary knowledge

Is just too small for developing wisdom.

You must serve universal causes

Beyond your ego and your interests.

Yes, wisdom has its price.

But the rewards are great.

You arrive at old age smilingly

And you are able to die peacefully.

Henryk Skolimowski