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Jumping to conclusions is the practice of needing to know, evening if "knowing" isn't possible just yet.
I have been thinking about this habit of seeking answers before they are ready to reveal themselves as Wednesday's post - "It's Okay Not To Know" - discusses the "why" of the issue, and consequently, would like to continue the conversation here.
It may sound impossible initially, but peace of mind is something that is capable of being found within us and need not be sought outside of ourselves from other people or events, during times of uncertainty.
Often society, those we converse with, and even we, ourselves, want to know the answers before they are available - Why did this happen? What is this particular news story truly all about? How can I ensure this will or will not happen again? Who is responsible? Who deserves the credit? etc. etc. etc.
Rushing to judgment is a natural quest, but life truly is more spectacular than mere black and white options. A full spectrum is often at the ready to be explored, and this exploration will take time.
Whether it is an answer you seek about your future, your past or the world, trust that the knowledge that is worth seeking, even if it makes perfect sense eventually, takes time to reveal itself. After all, if it were easy to acquire, there wouldn't be a need for a question in the first place.
Guidance I give my students when examining a story line in the news, a new article, speech or any medium of rhetoric, is to "look behind the curtain". In other words, what isn't being readily told to you or offered. Finding the motivation for any occurrence takes time when it involves more than yourself, and understanding the full context is often more complex than it would at first
appear.
Being quick to judge, quick to leap, quick to find an answer, may feel like the solution, but too often it only reveals to the world our own bias of which we, ourselves, are not cognizant. Such a revelation isn't always necessarily bad - it can reveal our true passions, true hopes, etc. - but such a rash practice of jumping can make you look a fool who doesn't do their homework which is how our
credibility has the potential to be tarnished.
So the next time a current event that sparks a conversation on social media or an seemingly too good to be true opportunity presents itself or life throws you a curveball, take a breath, let go of reacting and practicing responding when you are ready in such a way that enables you to not only go to sleep with a clear mind, but awake without a doubt.
In this week's newsletter, Francophiles are in for a treat with the weekly episode of the podcast. So too, if you are looking for a taste of spring style inspiration, you will find some in both the Style Inspiration post and the Outfit of the Week. And do be sure to check out the Outfit of the Week for the book recommendation as well. Sophie Kinsella's new book was just released last
week, and after listening to this interview with the author on NPR, I am quite looking forward to reading this light-hearted story. Also, I want to remind you that The Simple Sophisticate's 5th season schedule has us taking off next Monday and resuming with a new episode on Monday March 4th. However, good news! There will be a Monday Motivational post this coming Monday in lieu of no new podcast episode, so be sure to stop by.
Okay, let's get to the weekend, shall we? I am looking forward to enjoying this last weekend of February and hope you have a wonderful few days as well. Until next Friday, I'll see you on the blog.
