I don’t know
Sometimes those are the three best words we can say. We all like to think that we have “the truth” on our philosophical position. Yet, in the final analysis, we really don’t know.
I just had a wonderful email exchange with someone that I casually knew from a distance. This person is quite famous in his niche in the world of social media. I happen to know that he holds a philosophical point of view that is quite different from mine. This is based on some of his expressions and writings that he has done.
We had a most delightful exchange on email back and forth. It started with some business questions and quickly went to a warm, genuine personal level exchanging ideas about what really matters. He and his family hold many of the same values that I do. Even though we have quite different philosophical and religious views, we have much in common.
I think that’s what life is about. We all have different views and like to think that we are absolutely right. Yet, in the final analysis we really, really, really (notice the emphasis?) don’t know what is going to happen when we die. Since we really don’t know (there’s that word “really” again) it seems to me that a good dose of humility is appropriate for making it through this adventure called life.
I grew up in a tradition where it was accepted that we had the truth about the world and what comes after this life. I was raised to believe that our way was right and the others were wrong. As I grew up and begin questioning if some of those firmly-held beliefs could be inaccurate, many of the people I knew turned away from me claiming that I was “influenced by the devil.”
Maybe it’s just me, but somehow it seems appropriate to face life with a continual sense of wondering awe – and a great deal of humility. I think we enjoy life more when we are less than entrenched in our own beliefs. This doesn’t mean that we don’t still hold values and beliefs. I have many today that I believe to be true, and live my life accordingly. For instance, I believe that discipline, honesty, hard work, treating others decently, and many other beliefs, are very important. Human beings have discovered throughout history that these values help us to live life better.
Somehow, perhaps, we might have a better world if we were a lot more tolerant of others and open to listening to what they have to say. No, it doesn’t mean that you simply believe what others believe because they say it. Critical thinking is most important for living life fully. Somehow though, I think that we live life better when we retain that child-like questioning and wonder of life.
I’m very glad to kno
w the person a lot better who I was corresponding with an email this morning. He really is a good man. He loves his wife and family and treats others with reverence and respect. Even though we might disagree on some philosophical areas, my life is more enriched because I know him and consider him a friend, even on a casual basis.
Keep questioning. Keep that child-like sense of awe and wonder no matter how old you grow. This seems to make life more enriched and more worthwhile. And in the final analysis, I think that is most important.
Sometimes “I don’t know” is the best thing to say — and the most honest. And that is perfectly all right for us human beings.
What do you think?
