Your Assumptions Are Your Windows on the World

city-gafead44aa_1280.jpg

Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light wont come in — Alan Alda

I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t make and even act based on assumptions. We can make assumptions based on facts we’ve sought out from reliable authorities. That’s my prefered way to operate and most of my friends are the same.

My view of the world, or the window through which I view my world is based on the knowledge I have. In some instances the feelings I have on a topic influences the window I look through the window with.

I knew a fellow who would often stop into the club where I volunteered running their bar a couple of days every week. We usually had a news station on the TV. You know one where they run headlines across the screen constantly.

I am not a fan of news stations. I much prefer to read articles on the stories of the day as I’m very aware the on air stories are usually the bare minimum so they can move on to the next stories.

This fellow would sit and watch the headlines and then start adding his own details to flesh out the story. Many of the headlines were about stuff I’d read the reports on. The assumptions he created at times were a stunning opposite to the facts.

What caught my attention was how often he would then proceed to tell others the stories he made up as though he’d heard the actual report. When I could I would challenge his statements and when possible bring out the report with the details.

He’s a nice guy but has the weakness of loving to gossip without much regard to accuracy. For him, adding assumptions as the details of the story were just fine, no matter how distorted he made the truth. For me, I’d see the headline and ask “what’s going on there?”. Then I’d go find out before sharing it with anyone.

How often have you drawn your own conclusions on a subject and never bothered to explore your assumptions? If you are answering never, you might want to start with that conclusion.

Windows can get pretty cloudy sometimes. Those clouds can distort our vision of what is going on out beyond them. If they become too cloudy, you see nothing but what is in your own little world. And the world gets smaller and smaller as the windows get cloudier.

It’s amazing how some vinegar and water can cut through that cloudiness and open up the vista. The acidic bite of the vinegar stimulates curiousity, generates questions and sparks explorations.

As that light pours in, our assumptions become truth and we can face the world with greater confidence of knowing we’re working with reality.

How are your assumptions? Do your windows need cleaning?



0
0
0.000
9 comments
avatar
(Edited)

Assumption never be a reality.

Everyone needs to clean the window in a regular basis because there always been dirt that covers our vission.

The story of the man you mentioned is familiar to me.I have seen people who can endlessly talk on a subject having zero ture knowledge about the topic...lol.They don't think about what people think of him. It his mouth , he can utter anything he wants. I just enjoy their company saying ...yeah..yeah.. lol😂

0
0
0.000
avatar

the fellow is a compulsive talker so yes, making up details on what he's not bothered to actually learn provides fuel for his talking. I've met a couple of his siblings and from their comments, he's always been a talker and making up stories.

0
0
0.000
avatar

I for one seldom jump into any conclusions based on my assumptions. I assume a lot, which I believe comes naturally, from peripheral information, but I always have an open mind, leaving room for corrections and the real deal.

I wonder though, what you would say if I put human behaviour in perspective. You know, what we know of people are mostly assumptions based on their pattern of behaviour. What do you say about these assumptions and the role they play in shaping or marring relationships?

0
0
0.000
avatar

It depends on how you handle those assumptions. We do make assumptions based on our first impressions of people. Often when it comes to dealing with people I allow my gut to provide some direction. As I've learned to trust those instincts I've found they often don't lead me wrong even when I don't always understand the reaction immediately.

People who are genuine, you experience them as they are, they are easy. It's the ones who aren't that take time to fully sort out. I appreciate the former and am wary of the latter.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Interesting! You must be good at discerning character, following your instincts that don't mislead you. Unfortunately for me, sometimes it's confusing. Especially with close friends. I mean, at first I totally approve, my insticts says so, but some years down the line, after say, cohabiting for a while, they just seem to be different people. Makes me very uncomfortable and confused as to what to do next.

Oh well, thanks for your input.
Ciao.

0
0
0.000
avatar

My instincts are not always dead on but I listen enough for them to guide until further evidence becomes available.

I also keep in mind that those instincts can also change over time. We all continue changing for better or worse over the years. So someone you think you have figured out can change to another version down the road. I continue to work on letting my instincts give me heads up while watching to discern.

0
0
0.000
avatar

This is great help really. I'll keep in mind. Thanks!

0
0
0.000