This precious experience…

One of the great benefits of growing old is the wealth of experience we can accumulate as time goes by. It is almost as if what we may lose in flexibility and in physical strength is transmuted at an even higher ratio under the form of usable experience that we can use every single day. 

Of course, experience, just like a raw piece of metal, needs to be worked into something useful and infinitely reusable. I’ve read somewhere that experience is like a master key that unlocks a multitude of qualities and insights. It is shaped by our encounters, the lessons we’ve learned through mistakes, among other life events, and the resulting wisdom that we gain.

We just need to make certain that we remember these lessons learned! With experience the quality of our judgment strengthens, we become better problem-solvers and we gain expertise in a large number of subjects. 

Beyond our capacity to reflect and learn from those encounters, we also build resilience, develop empathy, and often grow a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. Sure, experience is not always synonymous with wisdom. 

If we don’t pay attention, we can accumulate experiences without reaping meaningful insights or learning from them. It's the reflection and introspection upon those experiences that truly give them value.