Sometimes I wonder about the old adage, “there is wisdom in grey hair.” It seems the implication is that sound advice only comes from the elderly, and the young should wait until they are “of age” to be considered wise.
Some then choose to live their lives guided by the mantra, “experience is the best teacher” to the extent that the only advice that matters to them is the one coming from someone who has directly gone through a similar experience.
When those going through tough times are offered advice from someone whose life has not taken a similar course, I have heard sentiments like: “I have no reason to listen to your advice, you don’t know my situation because you have never gone through what I am going through.”
Inasmuch as that may be true, we somehow forget that we do not only learn from firsthand experiences. Being a witness can provide a lot of insight, and the answers you are looking for may be right in front of you, but you will not find them because you have set a specific standard on wisdom, and who has it, that it’s blinding you from seeing any other possibility.
So many times we’re searching for answers in the places that we have been told to look in, and from people who have been suggested to us, even when we are not satisfied with the answers they give us.
What makes us give in to half-baked solutions is the fact that society implies that advice is sound based on how many Christmases one has seen. The more the Christmases, the more acceptable one’s advice is. As a result, we tend to brush aside all other sources of advice simply because they do not meet our expectations.
Be careful not to brush aside what may be a source of help all in the name of searching for something “more seasoned.” You could be starring your rescue right in the eye. There is wisdom all around you! The “inexperienced” also have a testimony to share even if it’s not theirs. Give it a chance, you might find the answers you are looking for after all.
