Don't Make Assumptions

Begin challenging your own assumptions. Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in awhile, or the light won't come in.

~Alan Alda

Don't Make Assumptions

Every single day we make assumptions about people and about situations. We assume we know why that young woman is standing on that street corner. We assume we know why that homeless man is living in the park. We assume we know why our boss is in a terrible mood. We assume we know why our friend is staying in a bad relationship. We assume a lot of things throughout our day. The question is, are we always right? Well most of the time what we assume and what actually is the truth are two different things entirely. When you stop making assumptions about people and about situations, you leave yourself open to finding the truth. When you start asking people what they mean by what they just said or why they are feeling a certain way, that leaves room for open communication.

Assumptions lead to gossip. Gossip leads to hurt feelings. Hurt feelings lead to relationships that become strained. Strained relationships lead to heartache and pain. Who needs all that toxic behavior in their life? Stop making assumptions and start communicating with others. Build relationships based on truth and you will always find peace.

(The next two pearls will be based on the four agreements from the book, "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz.)