The Cambridge English Dictionary defines Wisdom as: the ability to use your knowledge and experience to make moral decisions and judgments.” The key here is that wisdom doesn’t come overnight. It is important for us to remember that and embrace the journey.

This message is embedded in our fairy and folk tales. As Jonny Thomson explains in “The 3 colors: What folktales teach about how to grow wise”, wisdom as the result of going through three phases. As school librarians we are familiar with the tales, but perhaps we didn’t see the importance of them. Thomson points out how well-known stories show a journey to wisdom through The Red, The Black, and The White. As always in sharing his perceptions, I will add my comments on how they pertain to our daily world.

The Red — Tomson says, “The Red is ambition. It’s life force, ego, desire, and the courage to go beyond the comfortable.” This is what powers us. We enter the profession full of energy, determined to put the library in a central position in the school community. To be successful, we read widely and enthusiastically bring new tech, the best books, and the best new ideas to our library. Because of our enthusiasm, we step out of our comfort zone to speaking up and out for the library. We include helpful information on our website with a section for parents. We are members of our state and national associations and maybe run for office and/or serve on committees. We are visible in the outside community. All are strong positives. It takes an enormous amount of time and effort, but we do it.

And then comes…

The Black – The Black is failure. When our great ideas and plans crash and burn. Thomson says, “It’s when a relationship hits a wall, a career hollows you out, or a depression greys the hues of the world.” There are so many of us living in The Black, particularly with all the politics surrounding library programs. While we tell our students the acronym for FAIL is “First Attempt In Learning,” we can forget that this also pertains to us, particularly late in our career. Even folktales teach us to expect it. It is a life lesson we need to accept is as true for ourselves as it is for our students.

Because without The Black, we cannot get to…

The White – Congratulations! You have reached final stage, The White (and probably have the white hair to prove it.) Thomson quotes from a book by Martin Shaw (The Liturgies of the World) “The White is that precious ground of eldership, of carrying the ability to bless, to raise up others, to encourage.” (Think Gandalf, for my Lord of the Rings fans). You are mentoring new librarians. Some of you, like me, maybe teaching pre-service school librarians. You’re finding ways to give back and guarantee the future. When new initiatives comes down from on high, you don’t panic. You may think, “Here we go again,” but you know how to handle it. You have done it before.

Thinking of these stages, as yourself: Where are you on your journey? And what does this stage need? If you are in The Red many will be benefitting from your energy. If you are in The Black your PLN, Professional Learning Network is there to support you. And if you are in The White, we are so glad to have you. Always remember the resources and encouragement that is there for you wherever you might be.