The Wisdom of Nature

Katy Pelchy
The Wisdom of Nature
Choice

“Nothing in the world
Is as soft and yielding as water.
Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible,
Nothing can surpass it.
The soft overcomes the hard;
The gentle overcomes the rigid.
Everyone knows this is true
But few can put it into practice.”

This simple poem holds so many truths to life, and the knowledge was found by looking closer at nature. It’s funny how, if you look long enough at one subject, you are able to find a thousand different truths in it. It could be the creativity of the mind, it could be the soul’s need to find meaning, or it could be the mind’s yearning for order. I like to think, however, that nature DOES hold divine truths, and that by studying it, one is able to learn wisdom.

In terms of this poem, I completely agree. Too often people resort to drastic measures as a first response to conflict. But by merely observing a part of nature that is taken for granted and barely noticed anymore, a much simpler and less conflicting way of dealing with issues arises. I don’t agree with the part that states that everyone knows this is true. To agree with that would be to agree that people are weak to the point that they cannot be steadfast with an idea that they know will work. I’d like to think that people just don’t give it the insight that is needed. That they are ignorant, but not stupid. This pertains to myself as well, since I find myself plowing through an issue instead of gently trying to resolve it often enough. Few CAN put it into practice, but for the few who can, life sure is easier and less stressful. If only we would look to nature for wisdom more often.