Do we get wiser as we get older? That has never been written anywhere in stone and it is not inevitable. One thing is for sure though – we don’t get older as we grow wiser. Undeniably, the more we learn about life, the more we realize that if there isn’t any room for enjoyment within it, there is something seriously unwise about all that we are doing.

Creating and preserving contentment should be at the very top of the priority list. Everyone wants true happiness and stability in their lives. But in understanding that we ourselves are at the very core of that reality, we understand that we are the common denominator that creates the balance. A big part of that balance begins with our emotions. Our emotions are very important to us and they can be both positive and negative. Emotions are the responses we make to the situations around us, whether those responses are an accurate interpretation or not. But our emotions alone are not enough. Enhancing ourselves in all areas of life including education, intelligence, wisdom, organization, and positive energy, are all things that help us sustain a well rounded life.

Stability requires wisdom and wisdom requires understanding and understanding requires maturity – whether we are 20 or 200 years of age. A person who arrives at 60 years of age, does not always turn out to be more emotionally mature, more wiser, or even more stable than someone who arrives at 30. I am certain that everyone knows of someone who fits that description. Regardless of age though, understanding the choices that will increase your knowledge and happiness is indeed a stage of maturity. Emotional maturity is our ability to control our emotions and recognize the things in life that we can change, and the things we cannot change, and steer clear of investing too much time in the things or people that bring us grief. Having the ability to adapt to change, regardless of how unpleasant it may feel, keep your emotions in tack, and deal with reality in a constructive manner, helps you to face truth rather than deny it. This is where the maturity of wisdom resides. Wisdom is having the ability to perceive and understand ourselves and others thoughts and actions. When this element is lost, we are lost. Finding our way back can be our greatest challenge.

Take a deep breath and look around you. Being emotionally stable does not mean that you should please and/or meet the expectations of others in an effort to making them content. In fact, people pleasers often get the shortest end of the bargain because they themselves, have not yet mastered how to control their own feelings and emotions in order to gain the things in life that make them happy alone. Wisdom allows us to see this; and while wisdom is being acquired – happiness is presenting itself as a choice. Even the wisest person understands that the best choices are not always the easiest or most comfortable at the time – but in the long run turn out to be the most beneficial.

As the years pass by, with wisdom, we discover the need for having staying power; psychologically, physiologically, spiritually, and emotionally. But as we grow older – we are also growing younger, stronger, and more able to identify life’s true priorities. Maintaining a healthy emotional life is a true priority – and the best kind of stability one can have. By remaining steadfast in your pursuit for sound emotional health and happiness, you not only give yourself the kind of stability that you so desire, but so deserve.

Love for your Tuesday. Be emotionally wise today.