Wisdom vs Knowledge

Wisdom is defined in Websters as an accumulated philosophic or scientific learning, an ability to discern inner qualities and relationships, good sense, generally accepted beliefs.  Knowledge is defined as the fact of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association, an acquaintance with or understanding of a science, art, or technique; the fact or condition of being aware of something, the range of one's information or understanding, the sum of what is known, the body of truth, information, and principles acquired by humankind.
While looking at these 2 definitions, they may seem similar, they are worlds apart in what they mean to us as people and as a world.  The world doubles its knowledge just about every 2 years, and with the Internet and social media, knowledge and news travels faster than every before in the history of humankind.  The problem is that while knowledge can solve a lot of the worlds problems, we, as a society, are focusing on the trivial knowledge and filling our minds with things that will not matter in a year or 10 years.  Colleges offer classes on the history of a single actor or actress, news broadcasters that want to be the first to report the latest new celebrity scandal, news websites that rush to report a story without checking to make sure that, not only are all the facts are right, but they don't even check to see if the story is even true to begin with in the first place.  We fill our heads with movie trivia "knowledge", little known music facts about bands, and back stories about friends or relatives of celebrities and trying to embarrass the others.  None of this knowledge with help anyone, save no one's life in the process, or fix any of the worlds problems.  However, all of it is knowledge by definition.

Wisdom is different than knowledge.  Wisdom is knowing that debt is bad, without having to go into debt to find that fact out.  Wisdom is having an understanding heart and showing mercy to those who need it the most, but not backing down from those that would seek to tear you down to make themselves feel better, or attack your family so that others will feel like they feel all the time.  It tells us that bullying others is wrong, evil and apathy are wrong, and that good people must do something when they see evil, people hurting, or someone who needs a helping hand.  Every major religion endorses the benefits of wisdom over an unquenchable thirst for knowledge that will never be filled.  Wisdom has you seeking answers, asking the right questions, and knowing when enough is enough.

Wisdom tells us that while we cannot do everything. we all can do something and if everyone does something , we can fix just about every problem that we have created on this planet.  There is a song by Garth Brooks called "Changes".  In it, he talks about people criticizing him for helping, and he tells us that to each person he helped, it matters to that person.  My favorite part is," I do this so, this world will know, that it will not change me."  You need to be the change in the world that you want to see, not let the world change you into someone you can't live with yourself.

Wisdom can move mountains and quiet storms, can lift people out of the worst possible moments in their lives to a place of utmost serenity, and can give people the courage to change the lives of people around them.  So what will you do to help spread wisdom and change lives?