Why You Should Read This Book
………For Insight Into a Meaningful Life
In an era where information is abundant but wisdom is scarce, Dr. Laura Gabayan's "Common Wisdom: 8 Scientific Elements of a Meaningful Life" emerges as a beacon of hope and clarity.
This isn’t just another self-help book—it's a meticulously crafted narrative extracted from deep scientific research, personal anecdotes, and philosophical reflections.
Dr. Gabayan, a world-renowned physician and researcher, embarks on a profound exploration of wisdom, offering readers a roadmap to a more meaningful life.
The Genesis of the Wisdom Research Project
Dr. Gabayan’s journey towards understanding wisdom began with a personal crisis. In 2013, she was erroneously diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, a misfortune that turned her world upside down.
“As a physician and scientist, I firmly believed in medicine,” Dr. Gabayan recalls. “But I noticed that doctors too quickly categorize patients into diagnoses and treatments based only on what they know. They did not think outside the box, especially for complex cases. The only people who did were the ‘wise’. I wanted to learn more about wisdom to help me and others.”
This pivotal experience fueled a spark in Dr. Gabayan, leading to the creation of The Wisdom Research Project in 2022. Armed with her expertise in research medicine, she assembled a team to interview 60 individuals from diverse backgrounds across North America. The goal? To uncover the essence of wisdom through their lived experiences.
The Eight Pillars of Wisdom
Through these interviews, Dr. Gabayan identified eight core elements that define wisdom: Resilience, Kindness, Positivity, Spirituality, Humility, Tolerance, Creativity, and Curiosity. Each of these elements intertwines to form a holistic understanding of what it means to be wise.
“Originally, we had over 20 themes,” Dr. Gabayan explains. “We then consolidated the results by identifying the top themes. For example, people who showed a lot of humor in their interviews were categorized under ‘Positivity.’ This is why humor was a big sub-theme.”
One of the most surprising discoveries for Dr. Gabayan was the element of Kindness. She notes:
“I am Middle Eastern, and kindness is viewed as a weakness in that culture. I was not raised with a lot of kindness, so it was never something I fully appreciated. Yet, the people I interviewed were kind to themselves, kind to others, and engaged in large acts of kindness such as volunteering or owning nonprofits. I now realize that to be kind is a strength, and it exudes confidence.”
A Glimpse into the Lives of the Wise
The individuals interviewed for The Wisdom Research Project were as diverse as they were inspiring. From a concentration camp survivor to a concert pianist, each person’s story offered unique insights into the nature of wisdom. Adds Dr. Gabayan:
“Overall, the interviewees were so positive and peaceful, despite having encountered such difficulty in life,” Dr. Gabayan reflects.
“My advice is that if you feel that your life is difficult, read my ‘Resilience’ chapter. Many of the stories are great reminders that there is always a reason to be grateful because things could be worse.”
Practical Wisdom for Everyday Life
“Common Wisdom” isn’t just about theoretical insights. It’s a practical guide for anyone seeking to incorporate the eight elements of wisdom into their lives. Each chapter includes “Things to Ask Yourself” exercises designed to provoke thoughtful reflection and personal growth.
“For example, in the ‘Kindness’ chapter, you are asked, ‘What is the kindest thing someone has ever done for you?’ and ‘What is the kindest thing you’ve done for someone else anonymously?’”
Dr. Gabayan shares.
“The book’s accessibility is one of its greatest strengths. I had experience with writing a lot of scientific manuscripts that were very dense and difficult to comprehend. Based on my prior experience, I wanted the ‘Common Wisdom’ book to be simple, yet powerful. When writing the book, I worked with a great editor, Joe Marich, who understood that I wanted to make the book easy to read with very relatable stories.”
Looking Ahead: A Movement Towards Wisdom
As Dr. Gabayan looks to the future, her focus is on promoting “Common Wisdom” and spreading its message far and wide. She adds:
“Ideally, I’d like to start a ‘Common Wisdom Movement,’ and have people share the life-changing insights in our new study and book with others. Together, we all need to think outside the box to find solutions to both our inner peace, happiness, and world problems.”
Dr. Gabayan’s journey from a misdiagnosed patient to a pioneering researcher in wisdom is a testament to the transformative power of perspective. Through her book, she offers readers not just knowledge, but a mentor and friend, guiding them towards a life filled with greater meaning and purpose.
She concludes:
“While wisdom may seem abstract and hard to understand, our goal is to inspire people to embrace it using our easy-to-read book and thought-provoking exercises. I had no idea what wisdom was until I did this study and wrote the book. Most people already have several of the 8 core wisdom skills. The key is to know what you are good at, and what needs more work.
When reviewing the elements, my recommendation is that you take an honest look at which characteristics are your strengths, and which ones you need to enhance. You should also realize that it takes time to build these core characteristics. Only one person I interviewed had all 8 elements.
You will also find “Things to Ask Yourself” exercises at the end of each chapter that can help you think differently. For example, in the “Kindness” chapter, you are asked, “What is the kindest thing someone has ever done for you?” and “What is the kindest thing you’ve done for someone else anonymously?”
The good news is that these 8 elements together can help you find more peace, happiness, and success in your life. So get your highlighter out, take some notes, share it with friends, and let this book change your life and perspective.”
BONUS OFFER
💥 As a special bonus this month, “Great Books, Great Minds” member supporters (new July subscribers or re-subscribers) at a rate of $6.00/month or $60.00/yr will receive a FREE autographed copy of Laura’s book.
There are 3 available so act now!