The Garden of Wisdom

"We are stardust, we are golden and we've got to get ourselves back to the garden." --Joni Mitchell, Woodstock.
To become wise, we must sow good seeds in our garden. Here are some things that I try to remember to sow into my garden on a regulare basis:
1. Time for reflection. What did I learn about myself today? Where did I see beauty in my world today? Where did I see the divine in people today?
2. Gracefulness. Wise people live life artfully. Even when doing things as simple as making a bed or preparing a meal, the wise man or woman gracefully and carefully prepares the table for the evening meal.
3. Openness to change. The wise person likes change and makes sound judgments. Change, creativity, and problem-solving are all tools that the wise person uses to prune his or her garden.
4. Learn the art of responding. The person with great wisdom does not react to stressful events. He or she can detach from the event, and then respond after he or she has calmed down. Learning to respond can lower the level of anger, and calm the situation. In the heat of the moment, words often be said that can ruin relationships and harbor ill feelings for many years. Learning to take a step back, thinking about a response, and then clearly stating does two things. It not only diffuses the situation. It also shows the person who you are upset with that you are willing to take the time to respond and not just say the first thing that comes to mind.
5. Meditation. I use the term meditation very loosely. I meditate to music, jazz to be precise. I don't think there is one specific way to meditate that is "correct." Just like prayer, it is a practice, and if you do it as a practice then you will get benefit from it.
So these are just some ways that I take care of my garden. I would love to hear how you make your garden of wisdom grow. We all are stardust, so let's get back to our garden!
Peace