Random rant: What is wisdom?

I was asking this question to myself today because all my life I've been told that I was very wise for my age.
When I think of wisdom I always get the image of old people. People who through the years experienced so many good and bad things, and in turn learned from those experiences.
So does that mean that all of those who are older are wiser?
Hmmmm no. I don't think so.
Wisdom is the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting. Wisdom is having good insight.
Although I do feel that most of our elders are wise, I know and have met a number of older people who speak no wise words, and young people who were very wise. Just because someone has had many experiences does not always mean that they have actually learnt from them.

So what is being wise for my age?
I guess what it means is I have experienced and learnt more than most of my peers. I can see why that is. I was told by my parents that hard work and dedication will get you to success. Those who do get to success without had having to work hard to get there usually lose their success.
I have always had to do many things on my own and in turn learn on my own. I had to grow up quicker than my peers because of the way my life turned out. Now, I'm not going to tell you my life story or anything because most of it is personal and painful.
But what I can say is I am thankful for all of the both amazing and terrible experiences. Everyone else should be too.

So what is the moral of this very random rant? I guess just don't judge a book by its cover. I have been told that because I am young I have it easy, I barely have to do anything, I am lazy, uneducated, have no experience, etc by people who are older than me and have no idea who I am.
Grow up people. Speak words of wisdom and love, because you never know what might happen in the future.

Carla