We all need wisdom in our lives. And we all have places we go to find that wisdom. Some of us may turn to ancient and sacred texts such as the Bible or the Koran. Others of us may find wisdom in the stories of literary giants like Shakespeare, Jane Austen or Charles Dickins. Still others may prefer the helpful hints of more contemporary thinkers such as health gurus, psychologists, life coaches, or motivational speakers.
The well of wisdom has more than one location, and it never runs dry.
This past week I stumbled on an article about AA Milne. The children’s author, best known for creating the characters of the 100 Acre Wood (Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, Tigger, etc.), had some remarkably profound things to say. His primary audience may have been children, but the words he put in the mouths of his characters seemed destined to reach into the hearts of us all.
Here is a little of life according to Pooh and his friends:
“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, and I’ll stay there forever.’ (Pooh)
“The things that make me different, are the things that make me, me.” (Piglet)
“One of the advantages of being disorganized, is one is always having surprising discoveries” (Tigger)
“Sometimes, said Pooh, the smallest things take up the most room in your heart” (Pooh)
“You can’t stay in your corner of the forest waiting for people to come to you, you have to go to them sometimes.” (Pooh)
“you’ve braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think” (Christopher Robin)
“It never hurts to keep looking for sunshine” (Eeyore)
“Rivers know this. There is no hurry. We will get there someday” (Pooh)
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard” (Pooh)
“I wonder what exciting thing is going to happen today?!” (Piglet)
Such simple but profound words to challenge, nurture and inspire. I feel grateful for people like AA Milne, who show us that simplicity is the key that unlocks the door to deeper expressions of life.
You don’t have to be a scholar, or a theologian or a great writer to be wise; you just need eyes and ears attuned to a world that is giving its lessons away for free.
