Monthly Archives: July 2020

Sources of Wisdom Influencing Gen X

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The third question in a 2018 survey responded to by 212 individuals age 36-55, allowed them to identify the sources they use to cultivate wisdom in their lives and to indicate the ones they find most helpful. Just like the feedback from millennials, their answers were evenly distributed across the choices provided -with the highest number of responses belonging to reflecting on life experience and engaging their family and friends in the process, and the lowest being the reading of sacred texts.

Favorite Sources of Wisdom from Highest to Lowest 

  • Reflecting on Life Experience–186 respondents
  • Friends and Family–186 respondents
  • Articles and Books (workshops and podcasts)–171 respondents
  • Being in Nature–140 respondents
  • Creative Pursuits (music, art, poetry….)–125 respondents
  • Religious or Spiritual Leaders**—116 respondents
  • Spiritual Practice—110 respondents
  • Personal/Journal Writing—81 respondents
  • Sacred Texts—54 respondents

 **The order of preference is almost identical to the responses of 18-35 year olds with the exception of Religious/Spiritual Leaders ranking 6, whereas the younger generation had a ranking of 8

The comments section further illuminated the choices of Gen X, as they described an holistic wellness approach to cultivating wisdom: through exercise, Tai Chi, Yoga, meditation, mindfulness practice, motivational social media, reading and engaging in workshops. In addition, they relied on people they respected as personal mentors, counselors and spiritual directors to help lead them to a deeper understanding of their life experiences. In fact, these influences were mentioned more frequently than specific friends and family members (even though 88% of respondents checked off friends and family members as a wisdom source).

As a whole, the group expressed a strong value in reflecting on their life experiences.  They used a variety of spiritual practices in both natural and church settings and were even willing to consider the following question:

What is your reaction to thinking about yourself as a source of wisdom?

About a quarter of the respondents shared their discomfort, rejection or indifference to the possibility that they could be a source of wisdom, with comments such as LOL, that’s comical, or I am weirdly uncomfortable. Others revealed that it was scary and an “overwhelming responsibility” to be thought of as a source of wisdom. Or they simply felt it was egotistical to view one’s self that way, particularly if they already acknowledged that they were “too judgmental.”

The remaining seventy-five percent expressed a more positive view with comments suggesting that it was “intriguing” to consider one’s self as a source of wisdom or that it was an honor to share their insights.  Of these individuals, many said that since everyone has the potential to develop wisdom, it made sense to see their own life experience as fertile soil for its growth. This opinion was reinforced when others turned to them for advice, particularly if they were younger or had less experience on a subject. Since knowledge is often equated with wisdom, some turned to their work for inspiration and it helped them to see themselves as a source of wisdom in this setting. Others spoke of their spiritual connection or relationship with God that influenced their experience.

I was moved by the thread of humility woven throughout all the answers that I read.  This was combined with an expressed respect for the privilege of being able to share one’s perspective with another person.

To continue with this series revealing the responses of 36-55 year olds to a wisdom survey, click here and learn about where wisdom is most needed according to Gen X.

 

Sources of Wisdom Influencing Boomers

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The third question in a 2018 survey responded to by 239 individuals age 56-75, allowed them to identify the sources they use to cultivate wisdom in their lives and to indicate the ones they find most helpful. Just like the responses of Millennials and Gen X, their answers were evenly distributed across the choices provided -with the highest number of responses belonging to reflecting on life experience and the lowest being the reading of sacred texts.

Favorite Sources of Wisdom from Highest to Lowest

  • Reflecting on Life Experience*–208 respondents
  • Friends and Family*–189 respondents
  • Articles and Books*–187 respondents
  • Being in Nature*–170 respondents
  • Spiritual Practice—149 respondents
  • Religious or Spiritual Leaders—129 respondents
  • Creative Pursuits (music, art, poetry….)–125 respondents
  • Personal/Journal Writing—91 respondents
  • Sacred Texts—85 respondents

*Same order of preference as Millennial and Gen X respondents

The comments section of this question asked the respondents to share which of the sources were the most helpful to them and here is where they described the reasons behind their selections. Note: 5% of the respondents did not leave a comment and 6% said that all the choices were equally important. For the remaining 89%, they enumerated on their selections with descriptions of how they closely observed and reflected on the interactions with the people in their lives, participated in a daily spiritual practice or engaged in journal writing. A good majority were reading, attending workshops or training with a spiritual teacher or mentor. They listened to the opinions of family and friends who had earned their respect. Being in nature was rejuvenating and centering and the environment sought to renew one’s spirit. Though only 5% were reading sacred texts, the ones who were engaged shared that it was a regular practice that enlightened them as they connected the wisdom to their everyday experiences.

What is your reaction to thinking about yourself as a source of wisdom?

The response to this question was consistent with the Boomer’s reaction to being asked if they considered themselves to be wise, 80% provided a positive answer ranging from being comfortable with the concept to acknowledging that they were a “work in progress” or that this was the first time they had ever considered such a question. For the majority that was accepting of themselves as a source of wisdom, it was with great humility (the most frequently cited word in their descriptions) and a strong sense of responsibility that they accepted the honor.  Many felt that wisdom did indeed “come with age” but they were quick to distinguish the selective nature of this. “I have wisdom for those whose experiences I have lived.  Others have wisdom for me.” The opportunity to share one’s personal wisdom was considered a blessing by some, particularly if they felt connected to their spiritual source.

For those that did not consider themselves to be a source of wisdom, their comments expressed fear, laughter and an admission that it was egotistical to think of one’s self in this way. This was different than the response of those who were thinking about it for the first time (and shared that they were “pleasantly surprised” with the possibility). The reticence shared by those not wanting to “own” that they could be a wisdom source was often accompanied by statements that they were “only a student” and it was a great responsibility to share what they learned with another person.

In the words of Sandra Marinella, author of The Story You Need to Tell, “…all humans who seek and search for wisdom as a life goal should evolve to the point of seeing themselves not simply as a collector of wisdom but also as one who shares wisdom with others when called to share it. It is a rewarding aspect of aging–being able to give back and mentor others.”

 

 

 

 

Do Boomers think they are Wise?

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When asked in a 2018 survey, “Do you consider yourself to be wise,” eighty percent of 56-75 year olds were able to say “Yes,” which is higher than the Millennial and Gen X response to this same question (average 75%).

 Yes, I am Wise

With 186 individuals providing an affirmative answer to the question of personal wisdom, it is interesting to delve further into the reasons for their confidence.  The chart below shows the breakdown:

Reflection and Values

These respondents indicated they were wise because they were thoughtful and reflective before taking action. They were not impulsive, and tried to remain calm in the midst of stress.  It was important for them to practice non-judgement, be a reflective listener and to engage multiple points of view in decision making. Some had learned to set their ego and cultural expectations aside to be more authentic in their actions.  They expressed a strong value in cultivating wisdom, some acknowledging that they were at “the beginning stage” of acquiring it but their practice of reflection was helping them to strengthen it in their lives.

Age and Life Experience

For this group, the richness of their life experience has been the fertile ground from which to grow wisdom. “As I fully inhabit my 60’s, I find myself to be a wise crone, with years of experience and self-examination.” Another person shared that he had learned much thru trials and tribulations. Others described specific experiences that shaped their wisdom like growing up on a farm, or battling with cancer. The aging process has helped them to change their perspective and experience more freedom to “be who I am” than when they were younger.

Continuous Learning

A commitment to educating one’s self, seeking knowledge from a variety of sources and applying what has been learned are the hallmarks of wisdom for these respondents. They are voracious readers and researchers, searching out others from whom to gain insights.  Learning from mistakes is important too:  “I look at life as a classroom and am always open to all possibilities.” From this vantage point, some have even learned to integrate their knowledge and intuition to develop a sense of “inner knowing.”

Sometimes Wise

Acknowledging the fluid nature of wisdom as a process was important for this group, whose comments indicated that they were wise sometimes. This was a comment made by many in the younger generations as well. There seemed to be an agreement among this group that unless you were knowledgeable about all subjects, insightful in every situation, than you could not state that you were wise. However, this did not mean that they checked the “no” box because they also wanted to share that they had gained a measure of wisdom in their lives only in specific areas. Or in the words of one respondent, “all my wisdom is borrowed from others.”

Feedback from Others

Only a small number indicated that they considered themselves to be wise because people came to them for advice. It was usually someone younger or a family member. However, a good portion of my 56-75 year old group as a whole seemed eager to share what they had learned with “the next generation,” but it appears they are not often asked to do so.

No, I am Not Wise

For the 20% of my respondents who checked the “no” box, it was often to acknowledge the uncompleted journey or to point out a personal trait that prevented them from demonstrating wisdom.

As with the younger generations, their comments often showed their self-awareness:

  • I always learn the hard way
  • I haven’t learned anywhere near my capacity. I regret that.
  • Too cynical in certain situations
  • I followed a course based on fear
  • I’m selfish and narcissistic. I have to work at showing others kindness and charity
  • I’m too judgmental before getting all of the facts
  • While I am on my way, I still have much to learn from others…most notably about humility

One respondent shared that while he was aware of his imperfections, he needed to do more to “eliminate them.” Others made the observation that they often “made stupid mistakes,” but unlike the people who thought it was wise to learn from them, these folks simply saw them as a character flaw.

Once again, whether my respondents indicated they were currently wise or not, all could agree that “Becoming wise is a never-ending journey rather than a destination.” For the 239 Boomers who completed my wisdom survey, all were taking the trip with the intention of “getting there,” whether it was for their own growth or to share with the next generation.

To learn about the sources that 56-75 year olds are using to cultivate wisdom, click here

 

 

 

 

A Gen X View of Personal Wisdom

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“Knowing that I may be wise in certain aspects of life and subject materials, but not all, is in itself a wise position,” said one man in response to the second question of my wisdom survey:  Do you consider yourself to be wise?  A majority of the 212 individuals age 36-55 also answered “Yes,” to this question.

Yes, I am Wise

While they were slightly less confident than the 18-35 year olds I surveyed earlier in declaring their wisdom (78% of Millennials answered yes to this question compared to 72% of Gen X), the reasons behind the answers of my 36-55 year old group came from a changed perspective about cultivating wisdom.  The younger generation answered yes to the question of being wise because they were willing to learn from their life experiences; whereas, the Gen X respondents said it was because of what they had already learned from their life experiences.   From this new vantage point they began offering different expectations about what wisdom needed to look like in their lives.

The majority of the “yes group” indicated that the development of personal wisdom is a process that involves self-awareness, the willingness to learn from your mistakes and always expand your viewpoint. For some, this entailed gaining knowledge and a variety of experiences.  Others recognized a deepening of their spirituality and intuitive knowing as they aged. For all, their life was an unfolding story with new characters and challenges entering to guide them to a greater understanding of themselves.  In other words, “wisdom is not a destination arrived at, but a journey that never ends.”

No, I am not Wise

As with my millennial respondents to this question, the answers expressed by the individuals who did not consider themselves to be wise (or maybe sometimes) held a great deal of self-awareness. For these individuals, their age prevented them from saying “Yes, I am wise” because they felt that more life experience was needed in order to gain wisdom. Many of them also shared that they didn’t have the right type of world experience, or they didn’t take the time necessary to reflect and synthesize their experiences into wisdom.

Personal characteristics were also attributed to preventing the development of wisdom, as expressed in these statements:

  • I am too impatient, reactive, impulsive
  • I am too easily influenced by others
  • I cannot let go of petty annoyances
  • I let negative thinking get the best of me
  • I have made too many bad choices in my life

Others described themselves as smart, intellectual, passionate and driven instead of being wise.

It’s Important to Know What You don’t Know

Just like the Millennials who responded to my wisdom survey, it was important for the 36-55 year olds to share their opinions with humility and to acknowledge that wisdom is not a judgement you can make about yourself. In fact, less than 4% of Gen X respondents indicated that they were wise because someone else gave them this feedback. Yet their growing confidence seemed to be the result of shifting their perspective about mistakes made in life, while embracing new knowledge and learning to listen to their “inner knowing.”

To continue with this series revealing the responses of 36-55 year olds to a wisdom survey, click here and learn about the favorite sources of wisdom influencing Gen X.

 

Boomers Weigh In on the Wisest Person in the World

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In a 2018 survey of 239 individuals age 56-75, they were asked to name who they considered to be one of the “wisest people in the world.” Their responses will be shared in category breakdowns previously described in two other blog series that described how younger generations responded to a survey about personal wisdom.

Humanitarians, Social Activists, Religious and Political Leaders-57% of respondents

As with the Millennials and Gen X, this was the most popular category that identified people who model wisdom and inspire us. However, with the Boomer generation their response was even more pronounced (with 57% making the selection compared to an average of 45% between the younger generations). The list supplied by the 56-75 year olds was fairly comprehensive with over twenty-five separate names being submitted.  Here is a list of their top ten in order of frequency of being selected:

  • Dalai Lama*– for his healing presence and compassion for humanity
  • Pope Francis*-for his contemplative nature, kind and open-minded leadership
  • Barack Obama*-for his even-tempered and thoughtful leadership, communicating complex issues
  • Mother Teresa*-for modeling a life of simplicity and love
  • Maya Angelou*-for having lived, survived and thrived and expressing her authentic voice
  • Mahatma Gandhi-for his understanding of love, peace and forgiveness
  • Nelson Mandela*-for using love over anger to serve his community and inspire the world
  • Jimmy Carter-for understanding the imperfection of the human condition
  • King Solomon-for recognizing that true wisdom comes from God
  • Queen Elizabeth-for enduring an incredible lifetime of challenges and changes

 *Also appeared in the top ten list of both the Millennial and Gen X groups surveyed

Business Leaders, Celebrities and Authors—14% of respondents

The Boomer response in this category was evenly distributed between business leaders, celebrities and authors in contrast to the Millennials that acknowledged business leaders and celebrities more frequently and Gen X who named Authors more often. Once again, the person named most frequently in this category was Oprah Winfrey because she is open-minded, spiritually grounded, has an “instinctual knack” for understanding the feelings of others, and has “reached so many people–regardless of race, religion or location.” Ellen DeGeneres was also acknowledged for her honesty, sense of humor and generosity.

The most specific acknowledgement in the business sector went to Bill Gates:  Once the richest man in the world, he stepped away from the enterprise he built (difficult to do all by itself) to create a foundation that, by all accounts, does good work.  To be effective, he set strict criteria for where the foundation would focus its attention, resources, and capital.  Other business leaders named in this category were Warren Buffet and Elon Musk but there was no explanation as to why the respondents made these choices. Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking were heralded for their knowledge of science and having a visionary lens.

Many of the authors named by this group were on the list because of their contribution to our understanding of human behavior and the effects on our health or that of our planet such as Stephen Covey, Deepak Chopra, Dr. Wayne Dyer, and Charles Eisenstein. Others applied spiritual teachings to everyday life:  Pema Chodron, Ram Dass, and Joan Chittister.  Even poet Mary Oliver was acknowledged for drawing on the wisdom of creation found in nature.

Wrapping up this category was the recognition of Mr. Rogers (who was also mentioned by Millennials) as a positive role model for human kindness—an attribute that many of us are thirsting for in our quest for wisdom.

The Elders and Work Influences-13% of respondents

It is interesting to note that the younger generations named someone from this category at a greater frequency than the 56-75 year olds (23% as compared to 13%).  I wonder if the reason for this could be found in the John Denver lyrics quoted by a Boomer respondent:  “It turns me on to think of growing old,” that expresses a realization that the boomers were becoming “the elders,” so it was important to honor their own.

Many of the Boomer respondents did name their parents and grandparents as being wise, as they acknowledged the breadth of their life experience or the love that they had received from them. One woman admitted, “I didn’t fully understand the wisdom that had been shared with me until I became much older.”

They also shared their appreciation for Clergy, a Police Chief, an attorney and a professional basketball coach who demonstrated honesty, loyalty, humility and the ability to “do the right thing.”  Clearly this group had received positive mentoring and was interested in returning the favor.

The Unnamed—11% of respondents

Similar to the responses I received from the younger generations, the Boomers who did not want to name a single person as wise, instead described the characteristics of wisdom:

  • A reflective listener who doesn’t judge, appreciates differences and learns from them
  • Someone with good judgement who sees the big picture
  • People who have developed resiliency by moving through their personal suffering
  • A person who understands our fragile human condition and the complexity of our world
  • Someone who has traveled and experienced other cultures
  • Open-minded and humble-with an “unflappable sense of calm”
  • Inspirational

Other Friends and Family Members—4% of respondents

Even though it is a category with only a few responses, it is heart-warming to read a parent recognizing his son for living an authentic life and being an effective listener or a friend acknowledged for being true to her priorities, and knowing “just what to say” when someone is in need.

Self—1% of respondents

Only the Boomers have a small percentage of respondents proclaiming themselves to be one of the wisest people on earth, but at least one of these shared it was because “I carry within me the spirit of God and I have been graced with life to learn and share.”  For the others, they simply jumped the gun on the next question in my wisdom survey:  Do you consider yourself to be wise?

To find out how my group of 56-75 year olds responded to this question, click here.

  

 

 

 

Gen X Describes Where Wisdom is Needed

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“Where is wisdom not needed?” said a quarter of my Gen X respondents before selecting among six categories to indicate where wisdom is needed most today. Many of the 212 individuals age 36-55 who participated in my wisdom survey, also expressed their concerns about where wisdom is lacking as they shared their insights. Their responses are summarized below the survey results, in order of highest to lowest preference.

Note: The answers of 18-35 year olds were almost identical to above- with the exception of the younger group ranking Schools higher than Home and Family.

Government

“Our current political environment is hardening people…..and acting for the collective good is in jeopardy,” said one respondent. “We are not being governed by wise leadership” and the “current divisive reality of US politics is heartbreaking,” said two others. Some merely said, “Just turn on the news, isn’t it obvious?” when referring to the lack of wisdom in government. The level of frustration expressed by Gen X was a little deeper than that shared by the younger generation who simply want leaders “to actually lead,” and maybe haven’t lost their faith that someone with wisdom will fulfill this role. “Government needs to begin looking beyond short term results to see the long view that wisdom requires.”

Home and Family

The family “as a building block of society” where “everything begins” was expressed almost as an antidote to the lack of wisdom in government. A positive home life held the promise of being a grassroots influence if it was led by parents with the ability to teach their young children to act in a conscientious manner as they modeled wisdom. This view was juxtaposed with the concern that family life could disintegrate if people are too distracted by cultural and social media influences rather than taking the time to have direct interactions and conversations about topics that matter. Regardless of whether respondents held a hopeful or fearful opinion of our family life, both agreed that families need a lot of support to function in our technological age.

Schools

Another view expressed was that families “are mostly set in their ways” so we need to look to educational institutions “to really help make positive changes on a larger scale.” However, this can be challenging when society doesn’t listen to teachers or provide the resources to develop mentors for our young people. Some are worried that too many kids are falling through the cracks and this will affect everyone’s future.

Workplace

We spend a lot of time at work, yet we don’t always see this as a place that needs wisdom, even though it is where many people “receive their identity.”  According to one respondent, “The workplace, for many, is a means to an end:  We do something we hope makes a difference and we bring home a paycheck.”  A wise leader can have a huge impact on an organization, not just by making effective financial decisions but by building a sense of community and strong teams. This is a goal worth aspiring to; however, too many leaders are “simply concerned with the bottom line” and they miss the opportunity to empower their employees to develop and share wisdom.

Neighborhoods

 “When we know our neighbors, we reduce the fear of the other. We help, we look out for one another and we are inspired to make changes.”  While some of the respondents lamented that we don’t know our neighbors, many believe that “transformation will happen at the local level” as they advocated for action by “average citizens” or “ordinary humans.” They wanted to see neighborhoods begin to thrive because they were based on each person’s unique contribution and together we could begin to impact the problems we find in our communities.

Religious Institutions

To those who checked this box, there may have been an expectation that religious institutions should be a place of wisdom; however, several respondents clearly communicated that this could not be assumed. “Religion, in my opinion, is driven by ideology and beliefs – not wisdom.” “Religious institutions knowingly and even unwittingly create tension and disunity among communities, neighborhoods, families, individuals.  True Wisdom would pay attention to this and guard against that ability they have to separate people.”  Even though this was the last area checked in order of popularity, 53% of Gen X respondents still checked this box and appeared to be connected to religious institutions.

The insights expressed by my 36-55 year old respondents as they shared their concerns about where we need to cultivate wisdom today, reveal a group ready to take on the challenges we face in our world.  Their previous answers to the questions in the wisdom survey had a similar message to those of the 18-35 year old respondents and piqued my curiosity about what I will learn from the next age group, the 56-75 year olds, infamously known as The Boomers.

To begin reading the Boomers wisdom series, click here

To start at the beginning of the Gen X series, click here

 To read the Millennial series, click here

 

Gen X Defines the Wisest People in the World

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In a recent survey of 212 individuals aged 35-55 (mostly Generation X with a few Millennials and Boomers as book ends) they were asked to identify who they consider to be “one of the wisest people in the world.” While it was difficult for some of them to respond to such an open-ended question, the majority were able to identify someone they believed to be wise and to share their thoughts about personal wisdom.  In fact many of their answers mirrored the responses of 18-35 year olds who answered this same question in my wisdom survey.

Here is a brief breakdown of what was shared with me.

Humanitarians, Social Activists, Religious and Political Leaders-43% of respondents

While this was the most popular category for both my Millennial and Gen X respondents, the latter group was 65% more likely to name a religious figure or even Jesus /God as their determination of the “wisest person.” This was in contrast to the 18-35 year olds who had a more even distribution between humanitarians, social activists, religious and political leaders in their responses.

Here are the people who were specifically named by Gen X in order of their frequency from highest to lowest:

Dalai Lama*–for his compassion, peacefulness, speaking up about injustice and recognizing our inter-connectedness

Barack Obama*–for his balanced approach to problem solving, being respectful of diversity, and making difficult decisions with grace

Pope Francis*--for being a bridge builder between traditional wisdom and real life modern issues, committed to servant leadership and reaching out to new audiences

Maya Angelou*–for overcoming personal tragedy to inspire others with her balanced worldview and positive perspective

Martin Luther King*–for the ability to balance strong principles and achieve practical results with a non-violent response to injustice

Mother Teresa*–for uplifting humanity through her practice of non-judgement, compassion and humility

Nelson Mandela*–for persevering in the face of adversity and demonstrating generosity of spirit

Mahatma Gandhi—for his ability to see truth through fear, stress and anger

Pema Chodron—for her teachings on impermanence and non-attachment and how to practice mindfulness in daily life

*Indicates they were also named by 18-35 year olds in this category

The Elders and Work Influences-21% of respondents

While a small percentage of individuals in this category spoke about “elders” in general or being inspired by a supervisor or CEO of their company, the majority of them expressed learning something valuable from their parents and grandparents. Some were deeply impressed with family members who possessed little or no formal education yet demonstrated wise action and integrity in their life decisions. Others were grateful for the perspective offered by parents who had overcome challenges and were still able to offer a supportive listening ear.

Some of the sentiments above were similar to those expressed by the Millennials; however, the Gen X respondents also articulated the importance of passing on knowledge to the next generation. One man in particular, shared gratitude for his stepfather who “knows just about everything” and taught him skills “so I may teach my sons someday.”

Business Leaders, Celebrities and Authors—17% of respondents

The person mentioned most frequently in this category was Oprah Winfrey, who was acknowledged for being a life-long learner who is willing to share with others what she has learned through deeply listening to people. She was also identified as an intelligent business woman, who is reflective and intentional in her work. The only other business leader making it to the list from Gen X was Warren Buffet.  He was recognized by two respondents for his ability to make excellent business choices by selecting actions in the present that predict future results, and for donating a considerable portion of his wealth to charitable causes.

It is interesting to note that in this category the younger generation more frequently acknowledged business leaders and celebrities as wise, while Gen X listed authors and speakers. They appreciated the sharing of knowledge and experience in the areas of science, human behavior and spirituality.

Here is a list of their endorsements in alphabetical order:  Dale Carnegie, Noam Chomsky, Deepak Chopra, Dr. Dwayne Dyer, Tim Ferriss, Natalie Goldberg, Louise Hay, Sue Monk Kidd, Michelle Obama, Mary Oliver, Trey Parker, Oliver Saks, Tony Robbins, SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy) Eckert Tolle, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Neale Donald Walsch.

 The Unnamed—12% of respondents

The respondents who were unable to name “just one person,” as wise seemed to be looking for the perfect role model who had the ability to listen deeply and would “seek to understand “your viewpoint.  They didn’t share a common list of characteristics for someone who is wise like the 18-35 year olds did. However, they did point out that everyone has strengths and weaknesses and that there were many kinds of wisdom. They wanted “everyday humans” to work together to reduce suffering and to take care of our community, and they acknowledged that financial resources were needed to accomplish this.

Other Friends and Family Members—7% of respondents

This is perhaps my favorite category because it reveals the importance of our personal connections and the potential we all have to influence our friends and family members. My Gen X respondents acknowledged:

  • A spouse for being a good thinker
  • Siblings for patient support and listening “without casting judgment”
  • Friends for sharing their vulnerability, honesty, compassion, perspective and “the best advice of anyone I know”
  • Young children for their example of living from a state of intuition, curiosity, creativity and trust

Overall, the responses of 36-55 year olds to the first question in my wisdom survey revealed similar patterns to the answers expressed by 18-35 year olds.

The next area of inquiry is:  Does Gen X consider themselves to be wise? Click here to find out.