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As a relative newcomer to the blogging world, I’ve quickly realized there’s some seriously inspiring and mind-blowing stuff out there. I have already discovered so many unique, creative, and intelligent writers in the field of personal development, and I know I’ve just scratched the surface. In fact, there is an UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE available.
“Scientiae pars est quaedam nescire.” - Erasmus
(Not to know certain things is a part of knowledge)
Erasmus, the mighty scholar and theologian, may have been on to something … is it possible that “not to know certain things is a part of knowledge”? Is there a point where we must no longer perpetually dissect our emotions, decisions, and levels of consciousness, and instead accept that “not knowing” is sometimes knowledge enough?
I believe personal growth is not only about ascending to more ethereal realms of consciousness, but it’s also about pursuing more elementary foundational truths. I know, elementary just doesn’t sound sexy, but it’s true. A blog title like “143,029 Simple Ways to Instantly Manifest a Life of Productivity & Wealth” may be enticing, but does it have staying power?
“Give the mind two seconds alone and it thinks it’s Pythagoras.” - Mystic & Poet, Annie Dillard
So many people share their thoughts like a “water faucet” … you know, just turn it on and stuff starts pouring out. Do you know anyone like that? The Sunday afternoon armchair quarterback? The Monday morning co-worker that always knows what management “should be doing”?
I have found myself in this “faucet” mentality while writing. For some reason, I impose upon myself an internal pressure comparing my thoughts and posts to surrounding writers, and in competitive form, I cannot accept that sometimes I just don’t know. I find myself cramming down more knowledge (the faster the better), bearing down, and ultimately regurgitating the information I’ve consumed as if I’m an expert. Twist the faucet, knowledge pours out.
I now challenge myself to treat my thoughts less like a “faucet” and more like a “furnace”. True wisdom more often than not follows care, intentionality, and patience. Wisdom, like a furnace, takes many logs to get the fire smoldering, but once a foundation of coals has formed, heat … truth … remains. And THEN when the furnace is opened, it can be dispersed freely and abundantly.
So next time you believe you’ve got it all figured out, don’t just turn on the “faucet”. Your discipline and self-resolve may leave you saying, “I DON’T KNOW”, but be patient, seek fundamental truths, allow your thoughts to form, and then out of that discernment, let your “furnace” burn.
Tags: ideas, knowledge, personal development, productivity, wisdom
