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That phrase came to me today while at work. We all think we “know” stuff, either via our parents, books, teachers, television, magazines, films…etc. But, thing is…knowing doesn’t always translate to living, does it? Not to mention, the older we get, we realize, we really don’t “know” much at all. LOL…
I could go on forever about the things that I know, but, if  you asked me how much of this knowing I understand by living it, my answer would be,”not nearly enough.” Ever thought that we’re taught certain beliefs, thoughts or modes of living to keep us from learning things for ourselves? Knowing something without the experience of living it is still ignorance in my opinon. You know like, I could say, it’s very challenging to be a woman in this day and age. But, unless you’re a woman, you can only relate from an intellectual standpoint, thus…you really don’t know.
I want to talk about how easily we take in information from all different kinds of sources and never think to question it. I believe that critical thinking is what’s missing in the world we live in. People are eager to take someone else’s word for almost anything without question, assuming that they (no matter who they are) has their best interest at heart. And, I’m sorry to say, that’s not always the case. Usually, the truth is, people tend to convince one another that they have eachother best interest at heart, when most times, its self-interest. Mind you, self-interest doesn’t always mean sinister, but, I do encourage people to follow the yellow-brick road from oz back to Kansas, because that’s what is real, if you know what I mean.  Now, by all means, I’m not asking you to take what I’m saying at face value. Nope, I’m asking you to look at your own life and see if what I’m saying applies to you.
Do you know that on an educational level in the U.S. we aren’t really taught critical thinking until college? Think back to when you were in grade school, pretty cookie cutter, huh? You were taught rules, history (that should always be questioned), regulations, and encouraged to make yourself like everyone else and not stand out too much. It’s in college where they demand you have opinons you own thoughts and your own voice–which, if one thinks about it may explain why so many kids go crazy in college. I mean, what to do with all that freedom, when you’ve spent 12yrs, being told to conform.
Life is about having one experience after another, and we do get a say in all of it. It’s not something you know because your parents told you about it, or you read up on it somewhere or saw a movie. You are the story! And, with each experience you learn something–if you’re lucky. If not, watch out for the “ground hog’s day” syndrom. Okay, so, it may not be the same day happening over and over again, but, the same experiences to the point of prediction, is a bit like a dog chasing it’s tail, in other words exhausting! I encourage us (yes, me too!) to learn our lives, by living it, not knowing it!
Love Peace Happiness N One,
SunDeevah