Wisdom

Roughly 30% of the US population today hadn’t been born on 9/11. Nearly half weren’t born to see the stock market precipitously crash in 1987. And even fewer felt the fear of the most contagious years of the AIDS epidemic.

China sneezed, and an unprepared world got a Depression. It’s odd that our two definitions of bad times, economically and emotionally, use the same word. Of course, given the fact that the world is having to decide between the health of the economy versus public health, maybe it’s not so odd. In either case, choice is tough, especially when so much is on the line. That’s where wisdom comes into play.

When I was 22, I got caught in a revolution in Venezuela. Caracas became the most violent city in the world with more deaths every day than anywhere else, including war zones. It was a scary place to be.

I know it can feel oxymoronic to be full of anxiety and wisdom at the same time. But they often live side by side, a fact which forces us to choose which side to lean toward. Most days, I choose wisdom. It’s far more comforting and practical.

There’s a photo etched in my memory more vivid than any other from my childhood. I am 3 years old, grinning, leaning back over my highchair, craning to look at my mother who is sitting on my grandparents’ couch beside my father.

If you haven’t seen Ashton Applewhite’s TED talk, I highly recommend it. But, if you want to understand her heartbeat and why she sees the time is right for an anti-ageism movement, you ought to read this book. Originally self-published, it became a hit and has led her to a worldwide speaking tour.

“I don’t know.” Just uttering those words brings back a sense of shame from childhood. Feeling dumb. As a Boy Scout, I was taught to “Be Prepared.” Not knowing suggests you weren’t properly prepared.

Wise people of the past have dealt with wars, plagues, and profound personal tragedies. Some of them have offered their wisdom in the form of books, quotes, or artistry. In this era of uncertainty, I recommend you find a literary lighthouse that provides you guidance in a time of darkness.

“The virus needs people to spread.” This sentence came from San Francisco’s Director of Health, as he recommended “social distancing,” especially for those over the age of 60. The irony is that two years ago, the U.K. government created a Minister of Loneliness to address the growing sense of social isolation often felt by those who are older.

Chip: I’m continuing my conversation with bestselling author and Apple evangelist Guy Kawasaki. You believe that it’s important to “always default to yes,” but how do we do that when our calendar is already full? Aren’t we supposed to become more discerning and a better editor as we age?