How to Become a Wiseguy

Gather together the following items:

  1. A few minutes in a quiet place
  2. The directions for this experience
  3. Your brain (essential)

Now, let's begin.

Think of a time when you were having an unpleasant conflict with someone else (if you've never had one, call me and I'll yell at you). This can be your husband, child, business associate or anyone.

Reexperience this situation (I know, I know but we're going to make it better soon). Notice the other person's reactions, their physical posture, gestures etc.

Clear that image away and now, reexperience the situation as the other person. Using the information you gathered in the first stage, step into their shoes and imagine as you progress through the experience, what their feelings and attitudes are.

After you have processed any new knowledge gained through that experience, you can clear that image away and now, reexperience the experience from no one's point of view. In other words, watch the both of you from a neutral space. Notice any new information gained by this new perspective.

Now what? Well, the information you've gathered from these different points of view have enormous value. You can now perceive how others see you and how an entire situation can be viewed from a neutral position. Instead of one way of experiencing the world, you have three and are better able to empathize with others and make more objective decisions. I believe that having all this information readily available, is the basis for wisdom.

Warning: While this is a very useful way to experience and gather information about the world, realize that these are our guesses as to how others are feeling and one should test the waters before jumping in.

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