You Know What You Know (And That's It)!

I wish everyone understood this simple fact a little better than they do:

You only know what you know, and that's it!

You can't get mad at someone for not knowing something. Sure you can get annoyed, but (I think) you're wasting your time for holding a grudge.

If you only know what you know, how can you possibly know what you don't know?

I know, it's a bit of a mind-bender, but re-read that question:

If you only know what you know, how can you possibly know what you don't know?

Sure you can learn what you don't know, but until you do (which means someone – or some thing – is going to have to teach or show or enlighten you) ... you won't know what you don't know.

Sometimes I think we take what we know for granted.

Sometimes I think we take our experiences for granted.

Sometimes I think we take our awarenesses for granted.

Sometimes I think we forget that certain circumstances usually have usually preceded all of our big understandings. You know, those really big and important insights and awarenesses we develop. The ones that we're left with after an 'a ha' moment. And I think we wrongfully (or foolishly) become frustrated with people because we assume they have attained the same insights and awarenesses ... we assume they've had the same 'a ha' moments ... and that's silly because ... well ... often they haven't!

So how could anyone know what we know if they haven't experienced what we have experienced and interpreted that experience in exactly the same way?

The fact is, though, that most people do expect others to know things they don't know. Most people expect others to know what they – themselves – have come to understand ... especially about life and relationships. And the result is often continual frustration with people for no good reason.

You know what you know, and that's it!

As I mentioned before, since Gabrielle's come into our lives, we've had many people share with us, in the most wonderful and sympathetic way, "I don't know how you guys do it." And while it creates a slightly awkward situation, (Like do you really want to know? Are you just saying that because you're lost for words?), there's really nothing more honest and true someone could say.

You know what you know.

The cool thing is, though, we can continue to learn and grow. We can – with effort, an open-mind, and the courage to step outside our comfort zones – come to know more.

And more and more and more.