Wisdom's Key: Understanding

Understanding.

Anyone who has spoken privately with me more than five minutes knows I am no holy roller.

I marvel, though, that somehow, thousands of years ago, a wise man knew the one thing that moves humanity forward is love, which is rooted in understanding. This trait, or lack thereof, Solomon knew, would be our undoing. Everything else was simply routine and discipline. The getting of understanding, should bring humans one step closer to their God, and infinitely closer to each other.

Here is how understanding should work in my book. You combine some compassion, some logic and a bit of common sense, throw it at the wall, and whatever sticks, read between those lines. Toss in an even break or two with your conclusion. We can all use one.

I think understanding is so hard for some folk to gain, however, because it requires a certain amount of honest self assessment. This means correctly valuing what you bring to the table. It also means admitting what you lack. Gaining understanding means that you cannot use yourself as the example by which the rest of the world is judged. You know, the old “Aw shucks, I’m not much but, but if I can do it, well…” game. It reeks of a lack of understanding on so many levels. It makes me grateful that I do not belong to that clan that mistakes the best I can manage with the best there is.

I am amazed at the criteria some people apply as to what makes another person appealing, ambitious and accomplished. I am doubly amazed at how unwilling these same folk are to turn that high powered perception upon themselves. People that barely finished high school frown upon those who do not have advanced degrees. Folk who live on someone else’s dime criticize others for paying the rent late. Those rooted in dead end employment criticizing others for not moving beyond their nine-to-five.

Are we crazy? Tell me now. I can buy crazy and I only have to take crazy folk so seriously. It is those sincere in their disingenuousness and illusions of grandeur that cause me to look around in fear. They make you want to ask, “Is your life that unhappy, or are you just that damned confused?” Their lack of understanding for their fellow man can boggle the mind.

Understanding has one last facet. It is knowing there is a time for everything. When I was 5, I wanted to be a superhero. By 15, I wanted to be immensely popular. At twenty-five, I wanted to be a millionaire several times over at any cost. Ardent pursuit of those things was appropriate for those times. Had I achieved each in its time, wonderful. I cannot, however, set aside the living I must do now, as a thirty seven year old father, to pursue such things. This is not their time. Their time has gone. I must live for the things that I can pursue today that fit within my life. I cannot waste my time with others who pursue today what they missed yesterday. Life moves on, and understanding requires that we all embrace that.

Life is short, people. Where is our understanding?

Ya’ll know better. If not, you should. Cut each other some slack. Get you some understanding.