APPROACHING THE DREADED AGE 30

For many of us, the age 30 is a major turning point  or milestone. It is that point where you start to reflect on the goals you had set for yourself like getting married, starting a family, finishing your masters degree or building your own house. But for many, they discover they have made many errors in life. Like choosing the wrong career, wrong spouse or failed to achieve the target academically or financially. To the ladies mostly, this age is dreaded if one has not been married or settled down to a serious relationship. Regardless of whether you are a man or woman, this reflection phase can either motivate you or depress you even more.
The best approach is by first accepting it as it is. Instead of panicking, realize that you are going through a normal phase and just take time to exhale, reflect and redefine your goals. Take stock of goals that you have achieved and those that you have not. Measure what you are capable of achieving by reviewing the choices in front of you. You capabilities will be determined by the skills, competencies, experiences and interests that you have garnered to this age.
Having realized your capabilities, the final step is to go out and explore. Explore the opportunities and choices that are out there within your reach. If it is academics, embrace the new degree or masters degree that will add to your competence. If it is starting a family then take time to make a proper choice rather than rushing just because you feel old enough and society is breathing down your neck. Share your experiences with others around you and it will open your mind to the possibilities of satisfying and valued life ahead. Do not dread the age 30, approach it with confidence and optimism of the great that is ahead.

WISDOM IS KNOWING YOU ARE NOT WISE

The great Greek philosopher Plato described Socrates his teacher as the wisest man. This was despite Socrates claiming to lack knowledge or wisdom. The debate on wisdom started when Socrates and his friend decided to visit an Oracle to find out if there was someone more wise than Socrates. The Oracle confirmed that indeed it is Socrates who was the  wisest. Puzzled as to how the Oracle reached that conclusion, Socrates decided to study poets, politicians, and other craftsmen. He discovered that many people who claim to have immense knowledge on a given matter either know little or nothing at all.
It is difficult to know exactly how the Oracle interpreted wisdom. But the simplest idea would be that the wisest person is that who does not claim to have knowledge. The knowledge of matters of this world are so big that no matter how much we know about something, there is even much more that we cannot know. Even for someone who is considered an expert, the knowledge they have is just a drop in the ocean of all knowledge regarding their subject of specialty. Therefore claiming to be wise is claiming to know everything or claiming to know more than you actually do. When you are wise then you do not need or seek more knowledge.
The wisest person is hence that who knows that they do not know a lot. The wisest person is that who is constantly seeking more knowledge to nourish themselves and grow better. Wisdom is constantly seeking knowledge. Therefore to be wise is to know that you are not wise.