Many years not needed to be wise
Jerry Johnston
But our problem isn't in hearing and following the wisdom spoken by children.
Our problem is hearing and following advice offered by anyone who is younger than we are.
On a recent flight I read an interview with the Jewish novelist Nathan Englander. He's 33. I remember myself at 33, when I thought I had the world figured out, so I began reading with a grain of salt. Yet his words had the ring of musings by a 90-year-old rabbi.
When asked about his relationship with religion, he said, "I try to look at everything that surrounds me with a level gaze, including other religions." He said when it comes to religion, he feels like "a person who has stripped off everything, who feels freed up by it, but perhaps doesn't always know what to do about the naked part."
At 33, I felt he was more aware of himself and the world than I was. And I got an inkling of what it must have felt like to be one of those old, slick-headed patriarchs at the synagogue the day 12-year-old Jesus showed up and began to preach. They were old. They were supposed to know more. But they didn't.
But the world seldom lives up to our expectations. As I grow older, I'm sure my grandkids must think grandpa has his act together, that he's got it all down. But the other night at 9 p.m. I went out in the rain without a jacket and headed for a Mexican restaurant, where I ate a real belly-stinging meal just before bedtime. (And I'm the one who's supposed to be offering sage advice to the tots in the family.)
Expecting older people — like me — to be smart and behave in a level-headed way all the time is a quick way to get yourself disappointed.
On the other hand, if those of us who've lived for a good spell would simply listen carefully to what the "youngsters" have to say — and not write them off as naive troublemakers — we would learn a few things about life that would give us perspective and improve the way we live.
I go back to those old men gathered around Jesus in the temple.
What did he teach them? Probably what he taught his whole life: "Turn the other cheek, do good to those who use you, walk the extra mile, love your neighbor as yourself."
We don't know how many paid attention to him that day and how many wrote him off as a boy wonder who would someday understand what they'd come to understand, but those who did listen with their hearts probably were given some insights that altered their view of the universe.
When babes speak, we shouldn't be astounded. We should listen.
We old boys aren't always as wise as we paint ourselves up to be.
And youngsters aren't always out in left field because they've had fewer birthdays.
Wisdom is wisdom, no matter its source.
Young Nathan Englander showed me that.
E-mail: jerjohn@desnews.com
Recent comments
If all you Jerry fans want is warm fuzzies and to feel good, they...
Anonymous | April 9, 2008 at 11:41 a.m.
I think he's spot-on. I'm 54, and am amazed at how much I...
gwnaz | April 7, 2008 at 3:13 p.m.
I can't believe the negative comments this column generated....
Barry | April 6, 2008 at 4:15 p.m.
