Does anyone really know you?  Does anyone know how you think, what you are thinking, what motivates you, what makes you happy and what makes you sad?  Does anyone know how you will react to a given situation, piece of artwork, or to a question?  Do you really know yourself?

Do you know your passions, and your inner desires for what you would like to accomplish during this lifetime?  Do you know how you will react when given any situation?  Do you know what’s “best” for yourself?

We presume that you answered “no” to a few of the above questions.  If that is the case, how can you assume that you “know” anyone?  How can you assume that you “know best” for anyone?  How can anyone assume that they “know” you and know what’s “best” for you as well?

When we think we “know” someone we begin to ignore them.  We do not listen to their opinions or to their desires and dreams.  We begin to ignore their “inputs” when we have our own situations in life to discuss – sometimes preferring to hear the opinions of others that may seem more “qualified.”

When someone thinks they “know” you the relationship can lose the passion that it may have once had.  It can lose the excitement of the discussions and the interactions with one another.  When we think we “know” each other, we have much less to talk about and discuss.

When we think we “know” ourselves, we stop looking for passions that we may have buried deep within ourselves.  We stop trying to connect with our inner self and begin to make assumptions about how our life should be lived.

When we think we “know” anything the learning stops.  When we think we “know” we assume there is nothing left to learn.  When we have all of the “answers” there is no longer a reason to learn or to grow.  The large oak tree, may slow its growth as it grows old, but it always continues to grow.

As we grow older, we need not slow our “growth” for the opposite may be true – that we increase our growth and wisdom.   Wisdom does not come with age, although it may take years to acquire wisdom.  However, a young child often times has much more wisdom than her grandparents.

Sometimes the reason for the wisdom of the youth is because the youth have not stopped learning.  And with learning comes growth.  And with growth can come wisdom.  Simply living a long life does not imply growth and wisdom.

Look around, and take an inventory of all the things you think you “know.”  Include friends, family, things, skills, activities, etc.   Maybe you think you know how to bake the perfect loaf of bread.  Do you have a reason to think about changing the recipe, or the technique?  You might think that everyone loves your bread just the way it is.   That may be true, but would you find happiness in exploring new recipes and ways to bake a different loaf of “perfect bread.”

Once we reach what we think is “perfection” we may want to continue to explore our passions in that area.  Try something new and see if it brings some excitement to your life.  When you modify the recipe for the bread you’ve been baking for years, does it bring a sense of excitement to your life?  Imagine tasting the first bite from a different loaf of bread that you created.  It most likely will be more interesting than tasting the bread that you have “known” for years.

Look at a close friend, mate or family member.  What does s/he having going on in their life that you know nothing about?  What are you “missing” that you thought you knew?   After all, if you do not know yourself, how can you even think that you might know anyone else?

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When we assume we know the answer, we stop asking questions.  When other questions are asked, we stop learning, for we think we know the answer.  Assume you know nothing, and be open to everything!

Written Sat Mar 15, 2014, 10:35 – 10:50 AM MT