The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook. Oh boy. If I understand that statement then I must admit I am clearly NOT much of an artist.

Oh my, no. I vascillate between wisdom and ignorance.  For me the art of being wise depends on the day, the hour, the events.

I do think it's helped me to reach my seventh decade. All that water under the dam, you know; the acumulated knowledge, and the experiences I've had riding the waves in life's ocean.

I've acquired strategies to overlook the negativity in people around me. I outright ignore the whining, the frowns, the disdain they project toward others' feelings. My time's too short to engage in that.

Truth be known, my favorite strategy is smiling and nodding, excusing myself politely; physically and mentally moving off. 

Then again I have been known to confront the "negoes" (my word) by verbally standing toe-to-toe with them, engaging in wordy battles as though my life depends on the outcome.

All in all, I see now I've got a long way 'til I perfect the art of wisdom. SIGH.