My father is dead over ten years but I still miss him so much. I miss him for many things, his wisdom being one of them. Although he had no formal education he was full of wisdom. He used to say to me “I’m a spotter, son. I see things coming. You walk into them!” Such pronouncements were not always appreciated as I grew through the teenage years! But he was a spotter! He saw things differently. He had great perspective. I didn’t always appreciate his advice when growing up but after I left the family home to study and eventually settle down I kept returning for more of this wisdom. His opinions on everything from sites, cars, clocks and even how to negotiate through the tensions of life were a real treasure. We didn’t always agree but he was nearly always proven correct.

My father is dead over ten years but I still miss him so much. I miss him for many things, his wisdom being one of them.

Wisdom is a genuine love for learning new things. Dad was naturally curious about things. He would not only admire the sculpture but also ask to touch it. Indeed, if the artist was there he would enquire about what it was made of and how long it took to create it. Love of learning involves experiencing positive feelings in the process of acquiring skills, satisfying curiousity, building on existing knowledge, and/or learning something completely new. My father was not a ‘know-all’. He just wanted to keep learning more. This strength of wisdom carried him through some major life setbacks that he experienced. That thirst for knowledge had important motivational consequences in that it helped him to persist in the face of adversity, challenge and negative feedback. He learned from his mistakes. He saw failure as a temporary setback. He always amazed me with all the knowledge he had acquired even though he had left school on completing primary level. Wisdom is a great strength and a huge bonus if you have it in abundance or if you surround yourself with people who do!