Wisdom is a simple truth that you have established in your heart and mind

I’m enjoying a daily devotional book by Leo Tolstoy, an influential Russian writer, multitime Nobel prize winner and author of "War and Peace." Tolstoy spent 10 years collecting “the wisdom of the centuries.”

He compiled it into one book meant for a general audience that could be read in daily bite-sized pieces. Tolstoy prepared three revised editions, and it was his personal favorite daily reading for the rest of his life. Peter Sekirin translated the book from Russian and published it in English in 1997.

The book has had several titles. The one I’m reading is "A Calendar of Wisdom," also known as "Thoughtful Wisdom for Every Day: 365 Days of Love, Kindness, Healing, Faith, and Peace." It certainly caught my attention and curiosity.

As just a sample of this wisdom, I perused several pages and was struck by the reading of Feb. 15. Tolstoy reminds us: “There is a simplicity of nature, and there is simplicity of wisdom. Both of them evoke love and respect. The greatest truth is the most simple one. When people speak in a very elaborate and sophisticated way, they either want to tell a lie, or to admire themselves. You should not believe such people. Good speech is always clear, clever, and understood by all. Words can unite people. Therefore, try to speak very clearly, and tell only the truth, for nothing can unite people more than truth and simplicity.”

Maybe aging helps us simplify our thoughts. Oprah Winfrey had a column in her O magazine called “What I Know for Sure.” It has since been published as a book with the same title, but the idea is that life gives you the time and experience to narrow down the beliefs that are essential to your life.

And a long life gives you an even greater time to simplify your own wisdom.

What do you know for sure? What philosophers or wise men and women inspire you? The King James Version of Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore, get wisdom.” King Solomon was famous for asking God only for wisdom and not for possessions, wealth or the death of his enemies.

Whether you are a famous author, a king or just a regular guy or gal who has had a few birthdays, wisdom is one of your gifts, whether you realize it or not. You’ve learned things and narrowed down the things that are important to you. Wisdom is a simple truth that you have established in your heart and mind.

I’m compiling my personal list of simple wisdom:

• I know that kindness is the highest action.

• Forgiveness is the highest thought.

• Change is better accepted than resisted.

• Getting old is a blessing not given to all.

• Age is not a number; it is an attitude.

• Gossip is tempting.

• Dieting makes you fat.

• Self-hatred has to stop. You’ll never have compassion for others if you don’t have it for yourself.

• Life is difficult.

• Love is an overused word and an underused action.

I encourage you to write down 10 simple wisdoms you know for sure and keep adding to the list day by day.

Find Connie's book, "Daily Cures: Wisdom for Healthy Aging," at www.justnowoldenough.com.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Wisdom is a simple truth you have established in your heart and mind