WISE DEFINITION:having deep understanding and sound judgment resulting from insight, time, or experience CATEGORIES:achievement SIMILAR ATTRIBUTES:knowledgeable, sage POSSIBLE CAUSES: Intelligence Having a deep understanding of a specific topic Having experienced a plethora of situations and experiences Being well-read and contemplative Dedicating oneself to a life-long study of a topic, people, or environment (Jane Goodall, etc.) ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS: Watching and listening before speaking Only speaking when one has something to add to the conversation Seeing the world for how it really is Being a good judge of character Making time for meditation Viewing mistakes as learning opportunities Having an open heart; showing compassion for others Abiding by one’s unwavering moral standards Humility Forming strong beliefs and opinions over the course of many years Thinking deeply before committing to a path or action Knowing oneself intimately Empathizing with others Pursuing self-growth Wanting to learn Embracing good habits that promote health and happiness Making balanced decisions Seeing the bigger picture Sharing one’s knowledge with others Constantly evaluating oneself Patience with others, especially the young and inexperienced Being teachable Being widely read Having a sense of humor Showing kindness to others Asking questions and seeking out answers Taking advantage of opportunities to learn or experience new things Respecting the world and the creatures in it Open-mindedness Maturity Patience Being able to set aside one’s emotions to be objective Seeing past what’s outside (persona) to what is inside (the individual) Understanding cause and effect Desiring change and working toward bringing it about Accepting oneself and one’s flawed nature ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS: Jason’s mom shouldn’t worry. In time, he’ll find his direction. All this trouble could be avoided if people just took a deep breath before acting. Some call me master, but I am only a lifelong student. If I tell Greg what to do, he’ll never learn to think for himself. ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:amazement, amusement, anguish, anticipation, curiosity, gratitude, happiness, hopefulness, peacefulness, satisfaction POSITIVE ASPECTS:Wise characters have the benefit of age and experience. Open-minded and mature, they are life-long learners who look for opportunities to share what they know in a way that benefits others. Those with wisdom see the big picture and have great passion for the people around them and the world they live in. As such, people treat them with respect and reverence and often show appreciation for their unique, wide-angle view. NEGATIVE ASPECTS:Wise characters are extremely patient and are not usually in a rush for things to happen. They may have the attitude that everything will work out as it is meant to, which can be frustrating or seem trite to others. However, sometimes acting quickly or proactively is necessary; opportunities to create change and lessen suffering may be missed if immediate action is sacrificed in favor of caution and reflection. EXAMPLE FROM LITERATURE:Gandalf (The Lord of the Ringstrilogy) has the benefit of age and experience, both of which have made him incredibly wise. As such, he offers guidance to the people of Middle Earth and is able to help them fight off the armies of Mordor. When he himself needs help, he does not hesitate to consult those who have greater knowledge, for Gandalf understands that the pursuit of wisdom is never-ending.Other Examples from Film and Literature:Ramírez (Highlander), Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Warsseries), Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potterseries) TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:controlling, cruel, gullible, impatient, paranoid, reckless, rude, self-destructive, suspicious CHALLENGING SCENARIOS FOR THE WISE CHARACTER: PLOTLINE: Dealing with headstrong youth who have no respect for age, knowledge, or authority PLOTLINE: Foreseeing something terrible in the future and being powerless to stop it from happening PLOTLINE: Offering advice and counsel and being ignored PLOTLINE: Discovering that one’s mentors have not always had the best intentions PLOTLINE: Offering advice and having it used for harm instead of for good