The Wisdom Project

NC, age 55

What are the top 1-3 things you would like to pass on to others? How did you learn this?

The first would be to help people to discover their purpose. It feels satisfying when I help others realise their purpose. As we light the path of others, our own path gets clear. Although I am 55, I am still working on the next best version of myself and ‘realising’ my purpose and what I can achieve and contribute.

The second thing would be charity. It is about giving right now rather than thinking that I will do it tomorrow. Because that day will never come. Therefore giving back to society in some way and doing it right now is the second thing I wish to pass on to others. My favourite form of charity is to feed people because the impact is immediate but, I also contribute to other worthy causes.

I learned these lessons accidentally. And also through failures. Discovering them by chance through the work that I have been doing. When I learn from these failures and convert them into lessons, I feel in harmony with everything.

You’ve seen a lot of significant events and changes over the course of your life. What wisdom can you share from your observations and experiences of the world in your lifetime so far?

There is a higher purpose beyond our knowledge. It will serve us well if we knew it. I need to trust that and do my part or give my best. My best may not meet that purpose but that purpose will guide me.

Compassion is very important. Exercise compassion when dealing with others. Every time I meet a person whose acts I disagree with or detest, I ask myself if in what measure or form have I committed the same thing. Buying a $300,000 object of luxury can have the same intention as splurging on a musical drum that I don’t need.  By doing that I learned to cultivate compassion, because I am not perfect.

What obstacles and disappointments have you faced that you were able to put into perspective, turn into a positive, and/or contribute to in a way that made things better? What did you learn from these experiences that you can share with those who did not have those same experiences?

There will never be a time where there will be no obstacles and disappointments. I have learned to surrender to it by letting go. I ask myself if I did my best, and if Yes, I just let it go. I lost my job in the past for the reason of standing up to my values such as what was mentioned in The Highest Goal by Michael Ray. These same values are the reason why my current leaders appreciate me for.