In the James Clear email this week a Michel de Montaigne is quoted as saying, “The most certain sign of wisdom is cheerfulness.”
When I look up the meaning of wisdom I am drawn to that. Wikipedia says “Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge, experience, and good judgment to navigate life’s complexities.
I like that it says it is the “ability to apply knowledge…”  The reason I like that is the way I see it.  Knowledge tells me there are many problems.  Every night I watch the news and hear about problems of violence, climate change, cost of living and now a polio outbreak in Papua.  Those all represent the tip of the ice burg. 
I do not hold to the view that wisdom is evidenced in the wringing of hands over problems or the angry statements that something has to be done my way.  The application of a solution is in my mind a considered thing, that while acknowledging a problem, enjoys life while living out a solution.
I am unsure if that makes sense, but the existence of problems does not mean I have to be miserable.  If wisdom is the application of knowledge rather than just knowledge, then I am responsible for my part.
With climate change for example I can only pick up after myself and leave the world at the very least the same as I found it.  Merril and I often make a point of leaving a place we stay better than we found it.  That may not solve the problems of the world, but it does solve a  problem in our part of the world.
Collective wisdom is to me everyone doing what is right.  That is, knowing the problem and applying the solution.  To me it is best if I do it  because I want to not because I have to.  When something is forced on another it generally engenders resentment.  The best ones to tell others of the benefits of something are those who have freely chosen to and experienced the benefits of something.
Why I think cheerfulness comes into the equation is that wisdom to me is not the singular domain of the guru with eyes half closed speaking in monotone or of the one wringing their hands and bemoaning problems.  It is the realm often of common sense.  The experience of the everyday person.  The one who sees a problem, applies a solution as best they can and moves on. 
After all, problems are a part of life and not the whole of life.

Years ago I wrote about anger and someone said to me “that was the best thing you have ever written.”  Fair dinkum, I did not feel it was, but I did feel that, unintentionally by me, it was the most applicable thing I had ever written for that person.
I do not feel that anger is always wrong.  As far as I can see sometimes it is applicable and necessary.  Injustice makes me angry.  I do not like it when some are taken for a ride by those who deliberately cloak their intensions for their own gain at the expense of others.
Having said that I do feel that for me revenge is always wrong.  I did agree with what some one wrote when they said, “revenge has no more quenching effect on emotions than salt water has on thirst.”
There is probably temporary pleasure in revenge, but I cannot help but think about the revenge killings employed in some cultures.  It is like it is never ending.  Revenge may be gained but the other side seeks and gains revenge and the process goes on.  So for me I reckon revenge is better left to someone who has the big picture.
Besides I do not believe revenge is ever good for me.  Anger that festers gets out of hand.  Some have gained revenge and taken out many others in the process.
For me keeping short accounts is the way to go.  I cannot deny that I get upset and even if I do not seek revenge my anger can morph if not delt with.  I really like what someone said in the New Your Times magazine. “Getting angry can sometimes be like leaping into a wonderfully responsive sports car, gunning the engine, taking off at high speed and then discovering the breaks are out of order.”
I definitely try to keep anger for one day at the most.  Sometimes it can be my attitude that needs adjusting.  The only way to change is to be open to change - sometimes despite (not because of) the way I feel.  There can be no justification for what has happened, but my response says if I am really the same or different.
It amazes he how a few days can see return of perspective for me.  I think Ambrose Bierce said it well when he said, “speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.”
Anger never has a positive outcome unless it is said in the right way, at the right time, and I must exhibit love at all times.

Once again I got dates wrong.  I thought it was Market day yesterday but it was not.  It was next week.  Yet the discovery was made only after we arrived to set up.  We decided we may as well do it as we were there anyway.  We made a bit more than what we aim to make each time.  It actually involves selling a number of items at $2 each.
I had an appointment during that time which was kept.  After that Merril and I had a lunch appointment which we were glad to keep.  During it I saw a guy drop something and then stand on it, so he had no idea he lost it.  I went and picked it up and gave it to him.  He was grateful and said the place he was going with it would have thought him strange having no paperwork.
The lunch was beautiful.  We tried a new place.  We would actually not use it again as we purchased the same thing before which was really two meals and cheaper from a place near by.
We had another appointment at home at 2pm.  So we raced home and got together what was necessary and waited.  I received a text saying the person was on their way.  We then actually spoke to the person who said they would not be here and reappointing us.  That was the 2nd time we had been put off by them, so we cancelled.
We both had things we needed to do for the evening so we did them.  Merril also threw fertilizer on the plants, and the timing was great as soon after it started to rain seriously.  My brother whom we were to visit the next day suggested we wait a week as it had been raining seriously on the Sunshine Coast and the forecast was for more the next day.  We were actually relieved and happy to have a quiet day, as they are few and far between at the moment.
The day was a pretty normal one and nothing overly exciting happened.  But days like that are good too.