IN December of 1777, General George Washington made the trying decision to lead his troops to establish a winter encampment at Valley Forge just outside Philadelphia. Just as they settled the jaws of a harsh winter opened then clamped down biting into the vulnerable soul of the young American army. It was a seminal moment in the American experience, and a lesson for us as human-beings.

I was recently speaking with a teenager who is awaiting university offers for next year. She is likely to go to university thousands of miles away from home. This is an exciting moment in the life of a teen, especially for those who are highly motivated and hungry for the next chapter after working so hard. I mentioned that wherever she ends up, they will be fortunate to have her. As she stands on the shoreline of her current port in life putting the final touches on that magnificent ship that will take her away on a journey of discovery, we spoke about what produces wisdom and why it is important.

One of important lessons of Valley Forge that is relevant to acquiring wisdom is that what makes us wiser as individuals are the challenges we encounter – those moments when storms of winter emerge and edge up against us. While we search for wisdom and acquire it in universities that are built on knowledge, the true teacher is life itself, and the difficulties that arise as we move through those classrooms. We certainly do not seek those winters out – apply for them – but there they have stood before us and will again with ice on their lips.

It may be that you are experiencing a hardship right now or have a family member that is burdened with a real adversity. It also may be that the end of the year while a joyful time is sparking loneliness. I wish we were standing face to face as friends, maybe together there in Cornwall or here in Washington, DC. Let’s imagine that is the case.

I would listen to what troubles and motivates you. I know you would do the same for me. With a departing handshake and embrace following that conversation, we would reassure one another that things will be alright. Maybe we would dry some tears while saying we belong. We know based on our common experience that winters do eventually yield to spring seasons, that ice bows to the colourful blooms. In fact, without winter there is no vibrant spring or summer. The seminal American writer and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

Eventually the American armies emerged from the hardships and sufferings of Valley Forge with a resilient constitution of character. This experience directly led to a wiser soldier and a collective confidence in the historic mission at hand. The Continental Army would not have eventually prevailed in victory without the harrowing experience of Valley Forge.

And so, let’s close out this year with a spirit of wisdom. The year ahead will bring opportunities to show what we have learned from 2024. We are posed to demonstrate the highest form of wisdom in the months ahead. We can show we have learned the lesson that the greatest wisdom of all is a hope that gifts empathy and kindness to those around us. Glad to be connected with you here.

Ian Houston is a regular columnist for this paper. He resides in the Washington, DC area.