Wisdom From Wonder

 Wonder is the beginning of wisdom   Socrates

I believe a life pilgramage is composed of many paths all on the same map. There is not going to be just one direction. Not one road that you move along on for the rest of your life. There are always going to be crossroads, sharp turns, rivers followed, and roads not taken.

The New Age idea is that we are not our roles.  Roles are ego related. I suppose it's true in the sense that we are spiritual beings with a light inside of us and are not what we do.... I just can't help but wonder if our roles are what formed us into who we are? Isn't it our choices and paths followed that bring us to our current road?

When I think of the roles, I have had wife, mother, nurse, niece, worker, co-worker, friend, gardener, daughter, granddaughter, in-law, spiritual seeker...   The actions taken and choices made during the implementation of those roles have formed who I am.  I have not executed those roles perfectly; of that I am certain.  I have tried my very best to learn from all of those experiences.  To look back on what I did well and not so well.  I believe that is where wisdom comes from.  An openness to learn.  A willingness to self-reflect.  To wonder about motivation, intention and result without battering ourselves with woulda, coulda shoulda.  To wonder what might have happened had a different road been taken, a new direction chosen.

I wonder and I can only hope that this wonder leads me to wisdom.  A wisdom that is softened by nonjudgement and unconditional acceptance that I can share gently with those who are walking the path beside me.