For Detectives
Experience counts for something.
Actually, experience counts for a whole lot.
In The Stranger’s Latchkey (1909), a short story by R. Austin Freeman, a less-experienced detective is tracking clues about a missing child, and the family calls in a more seasoned investigator. The story is a well-written, moment-by-moment description of how the experienced investigator interprets the clues to solve the crime. All the while, the newer detective is learning and honing his skills.
Written in the style of that time, the story didn’t draw me in emotionally, but is interesting and worth the read.
Experience solved that crime.
For Me
In life, experience can solve many issues before they even become problems.
The mystery of experience is that it usually takes living through experiences to get what we call “experience”.
And that can be painful and frustrating and take so much longer than I wish it would. Hopefully, I learn enough to handle a similar event better the next time.
My favorite way to get experience is to employ the wisdom from someone who’s already been through it. And learn from their pain without having to go through it myself.
Unfortunately, I don’t choose that option enough.
But the “more mature and wise” I get from my own life experiences, I purposely seek the wisdom of others more and more. And I’m definitely grateful for that.
For Others
Another mystery of experience is that I’m responsible to give my experience to help others.
To quote Simone Weil: “The extreme greatness of Christianity lies in the fact that it does not seek a supernatural remedy for suffering but a supernatural use for it.”
Trying to impart my experience to benefit others is often the only positive thing that comes from what I endured. I want the “life” I spent to count. I don’t want my life to be a waste.
But there are some huge caveats to me “giving my experience”:
— Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, wants my—or anyone else’s—unsolicited advice.
— If someone reads my words, they’ve chosen to do so, and they can take what they can use and ignore the rest.
— If someone asks for my opinion, I need to diplomatically and with care and love, give my perspective (which is my wisdom based on experience).
— If someone tells me something and I think I can help, I need to ask if they want my perspective before I give it. And if they say, “no”, then I need to keep my mouth shut and my experience to myself.
— Even if others don’t seem to value what I’m trying to give, I don’t want that to keep me from caring enough to use what I know to help others.
What mystery of experience helps you benefit others?
The Mystery of Experience – What mystery of experience helps you benefit others? Share on XJoni Vance is an award-winning author of fiction, essay, and poetry. She loves mystery, history, and how God reveals Himself every day.
May God reveal the mystery of His love in your life story.
You are so right that it is easier to learn from the experience of others so we don’t have to go through the pain ourselves. If only we would do that!
Thanks, Phyllis. I appreciate your comments and support of my posts.
The Bible tells us there is safety in a multitude of counselors. (See Proverbs 11:14 KJV) So getting advise from others with more experience is very good. I don’t like to give advice very often, because I’m so afraid of being wrong. But, I do love having the input of others with more experience than me.
Thanks for commenting, Jane. I appreciate your support and sharing.
Wise advice, Joni. The older I get, the more I respect the wisdom of others, but you are right, advice is of no value unless the listener wants to hear it. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for reading and sharing, Katherine. I’m glad my post was helpful.
It is always a challenge not to tell others what to do! This blog is a good reminder.
Thank you for reading and sharing, Judy. I appreciate your comments and I’m glad my post was helpful.