Wisdom in(a)box

All of us have certainly received a deluge of emails ( provided you have existed on the web long enough) dispensing us bits of 'wisdom' as they could be called. I am talking about the kind of mails forwarded to every other person around, being circulated a huge many times a sign of which would be the length at which you'd have to scroll down to get to the actual part!! Anyways, I refer to those mails which intend to make us smile or maybe feel sad, make us feel fortunate or otherwise. Fundamentally, serving a purpose to bring out a contrast in our lives to highlight the ironies and hence instill a mixed feeling of emotion, even momentarily.To give an example here is one about which a recent article also featured.

"The Paradox of our Time

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time;

We have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too seldom, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.

We've conquered outer space, but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've split the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom; a time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete."

This above mail circulates on the net as a sermon by the Dalai Lama, but is actually an essay by a pastor of a Christian Church. Although, several others have been attributed to have scribed it. But that's an altogether different issue. The origins of the essay would not conflict or be of importance to my concern.

Let me stop beating around the bush now. As I mentioned this appeared in a recent article in the edit page of a national newspaper and the writer disregarded this as captivating us in paradoxes and contradiction and suggesting a lack of deeper understanding on the part of the reader and writer. I beg to differ.

What exactly is the significance of these accounts? These definitely are not words of wisdom or even useful advice. These no doubt are a delightful way to substitute for reflective thinking and analysis. But then isnt every other piece of wisdom and advice. What every advice simply does is provide a different perspective to something we already know. Similarly, wisdom is also truth and facts wrapped in a digestible capsule so as to say. By virtue of it being dispensed by someone we assume the discourse to be useful and insightful. That is after all human nature. But dismissing such a piece because it apparently doesnt provide an insight and only appears to blabber about the ironies of our lives would be wrong. After all how much wisdom which has been spoken or written has actually any practical significance as far as helping out in case of tough situations goes.

When we have to make decisions regarding choices that would be life determining factors and comparisons such as the ones made above would certainly come into picture. Imagine a person planning to move to another city or adopting a new profession. The person would invariably ponder about matters that affect him/her many of which would be on the lines of what is said above. In such a case why couldnt this be classified as wisdom. It guides you in choosing and further helps you to determine and at times give a quick glimpse of where one's life is headed. What one has lost or gained. If it can be a tool for introspection and the mention of which could foment nostalgia, it would also act as an inspiration to bring about a positive change in one's life. Think about it!

The harmless mail which we see so cursorily may actually be holding a mirror, it may actually be a source of positivity and much more. Simply dismissing it as mere fact and rhetoric wouldnt be a valid or logical act. So next time you read such a mail, give it a couple of minutes of thought. Who knows when these string of words may turn into pearls of wisdom for you.