This is a blog about simple wisdom from savvy women. But being aware of the things I don’t know is also worthwhile. The more I learn about life the less I realize I “know.” I don’t even know what I don’t know!
The awareness of my own ignorance keeps life open and full of possibilities.
Painting by Glen Tarnowski
I thought I knew there was a God (just one) and that there was life before life, and life after death. I was sure that karma, reincarnation, ghosts, spirit communication et al all were real. As it happens, I do still believe in all these things, but do I know these things exist? Do I know what happens when we die? No. I take these things on faith. My mother’s gravestone says “Gone to see for myself” and that sums up the situation rather nicely, in my opinion.
I don’t know what other people are thinking or what motivates them. A lot of the time I don’t even know what I’m going to do next or why.
I don’t know what’s going to happen today, tomorrow or ever. Life is unpredictable. It can blindside or delight in the space of a heartbeat.
Knowing that I don’t know much means I can comfortably let the world and the people in it run their own lives without feeling the need to meddle or change everything or everyone. It’s a state of being that’s simultaneously humbling and liberating, and there is deep peace in accepting that life is full of unsolvable mysteries.
The Pink Elephant Room 
I love this so much!
Especially this last part: “Knowing that I don’t know much means I can comfortably let the world and the people in it run their own lives without feeling the need to meddle or change everything or everyone. It’s a state of being that’s simultaneously humbling and liberating, and there is deep peace in accepting that life is full of unsolvable mysteries.”
I realized this about control…instead of thinking “I can’t” control this person or that event, I realized it felt very empowering and liberating and relaxing to just say “I don’t HAVE to” control this or that.
When I think this, it feels like a good sigh, the kind that lets go of tension.
Thanks for your inspiring words!
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Ah… a good sigh. And sighs ARE so good for you. Yes, relinquishing control (or the illusion of it at any rate) is a wonderful thing, isn’t it, Kat? 🙂
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Audrey I absolutely loved this article! “Gone to see for myself”! I may have to steal that one. I lost my mom two years ago this coming June and we used to talk about this very thing. The one thing that I do know with great certainty is that the older I get the less I know about this world! I agree with Kat’s comments also 😉 Great read, thanks!
Thea
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Hi, Thea – I’m so glad that these posts are resonating with you, Thea. It would make my mom happy too! 🙂 There is, no doubt about it, with age comes some wisdom and peace.
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I LOVE this post! Accepting that every outcome in life can’t be controlled is very liberating! I think it also allows us to focus on those things that we can control and in giving our attention to something worthy, we are able to make positive changes in our lives. Great post!!
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Dee, you have just given me an idea for another blog post! 🙂 Thank you and good to see you here again.
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I’m glad I could provide new inspiration! Thanks and I look forward to reading more!!
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Love this 😉 agreement with the Diva Miss van Lam….and indeed inspiring words…we are definitely on the the same wave lengths but you voice it so much more eloquently my friend 😉
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Oh, I dunno about that, Thea. You reach people and are most eloquent. 100% agree we’re sympatico! 🙂
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