One of our key initiatives at my company for 2026 is to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation. Individually, and as a team, we have to come up with projects that utilize AI and find process improvements in the way of automating reports, daily tasks, etc. This is terrifying for me, as I am more of an “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” kind of person. I am definitely more old school in that regard. But the young people at my company are really embracing this directive, as they have grown up with technology and are ready to take it to the next level. I have a hard time working on my small laptop and need my large screen monitors, while the young folks can look up something on an Excel spreadsheet right on their small phone screen. And that’s just one of the differences I am seeing between the generations in the workforce. Does this mean I am unwilling to learn? Heck no. I am always up for learning and my younger co-workers definitely have a lot they can teach me, but the same goes for them. Here are a few verses from the last poem in this book called “Wisdom . . . Pass It On” that illustrates this point:
But the thing is, they can also teach
To us a thing or two
Like technology and the internet
Or things I haven’t got a clue.
I can teach them how to drive
A manual transmission car.
In turn they can help me
To program my DVR
That is the great thing about everyone in our world. We all have different experiences and lessons we have learned, and we can all learn from each other, if we are willing to put differences, and even certain biases aside. One of the main preconceived notions that we may hold regarding the younger generation is that they don’t know anything, they haven’t lived long enough, or they don’t have the level of experience that us older folks do. They may see us in an opposite way, stating that we are stuck in our ways, or forgetful, or unwilling to embrace change. There may some kernel of truth in both cases, but that doesn’t mean we should just brush each other to the side and not try to share knowledge or experiences. Sometimes we may be afraid to speak up, especially if we are an older person in a room full of much younger people. We might doubt our own knowledge, or feel as if everyone in the room is rolling their eyes behind our back (they aren’t!) But this might hold us back from speaking our thoughts or opinions. In this same book, Sow Seeds of Wisdom, there is a poem called Finding our Voice (https://thepracticalpoet.com/finding-our-voice-from-sow-seeds-of-wisdom/), which centers mainly around speaking up when bullied or being mistreated, but it can also apply here with finding that voice when you have something to say, and not allowing anyone to shut you down or stifle your words. Having our say, or sharing our thoughts is a great feeling of empowerment, and we may just encourage someone else to speak up when they have something to share.
In my third book, “Gather Seeds of Hope”, there is a poem called Bookends, which tells the story of a little boy who is learning to walk with the assistance of his walker, and an older man who is still able to walk with the assistance of his walker. Both are at opposite ends of life, but find commonality in their toothless grins and assisted walks. In both the poem and the prose that precedes the poem, there is a discussion as to how our society tends to disregard the elderly, like the old man in the poem, often discounting their stories, rolling our eyes, or making the crazy motion by circling our index finger around our temple. All the while the little boy is doted on and every step is celebrated. This is sad to me because that older generation has lived through so much and can share so many experiences, but we often lose our patience or say things like “Oh Grandpa, you don’t know what you’re talking about”. How sad it is that we treat this generation like they no longer matter, when all they want to do is tell their stories, but more importantly, have someone listen to them, and perhaps share a lesson that we can take with us from their experiences. We forget that someday we will be that older generation, and do we want to be treated like that?!
Here is a link to the post for Bookends: https://thepracticalpoet.com/bookends-from-gather-seeds-of-hope/
In the past few weeks, I featured the title poems from my previous books with the hopes of starting off the new year on a positive note. Last week I focused on my third book, Gather Seeds of Hope, and the message throughout that book of trying to find hope wherever you can, even when things seem dim, and holding it deep in your heart to help carry you through the low times, but also keep enough on hand to share with those who are need of a little extra hope or encouragement. The blog post can be found here: https://thepracticalpoet.com/gather-seeds-of-hope-from-gather-seeds-of-hope/
The week before, I focused on my second book, Scatter Seeds of Kindness, which has a theme of bringing out kindness whenever we can and spreading it around, as we never know what people are struggling with, either mentally or physically. Here is that post link: https://thepracticalpoet.com/scatter-seeds-of-kindness-from-scatter-seeds-of-kindness/
This week’s featured poem is the title poem from my fourth book, Sow Seeds of Wisdom, and focuses on sharing wisdom with others whenever we can. As with my other books, there are many different themes emerging in this book, including spirituality, letting things go, keeping things hidden, the pain of loss and betrayal, striving to reach goals and make change happen, and the fear that comes along with change and new adventures. In each prose and the accompanying poem, there is always a hint of some wisdom that I am hoping to convey, whether something from my own life experiences, something I have witnessed in other people’s lives, or sometimes, things I have pondered and wondered about.
I would love for you to check out the entire book at the Books tab above. If not, please check back to this blog because I post many poems here from Sow Seeds of Wisdom and my other books. If you find something in this book or on this blog that you like and resonates with you, whether it be in the poem or the prose, please pass it along and share with a loved one or friend or on social media. Because wisdom, like all the good things in life, is meant to be shared.
Sow Seeds of Wisdom
Each of us has knowledge
That we draw upon each day.
We carry this wisdom with us
As we move along our way.
This knowledge consists of skills
Ingrained in us in school;
Not only math and science,
But to enact the Golden Rule.
Outside of school are lessons
That we learn each day we live.
Practical skills and common sense;
To help society, and to give.
This knowledge helps to guide us
And to shape who we’ll become.
This wisdom is for everyone—
It’s not just shared with some.
So as you gain this knowledge,
Don’t keep it to yourself.
Don’t tuck in your back pocket
Or place it on a shelf.
This wisdom that exists in us,
We sometimes take for granted.
But someone else might benefit
From the knowledge that we’ve planted.
If you have insight to share,
Please pass it along.
If you have the right intent,
You surely can’t go wrong.
So scatter seeds of kindness,
And gather seeds of hope.
Spread your wisdom freely,
As you might help someone cope.
As hard times come along,
And in life they often do,
Someone may refer back
To the lessons learned from you
Something that you taught them
May suddenly arise
And your words might help to clear
The doubt that clouds their eyes.
They may be able to carry on
With clear thoughts and clearer head
Because they put into action
Something that you said.
And isn’t that the greatest gift—
To be able to help another?
The world at large will benefit
When we all help out each other.
So whether you’ve helped a neighbor
Or a person yet unknown,
You’ve shared your gift of knowledge
With the wisdom that you’ve sown.
-K.A. Bloch-
