Assumptions

I had a couple of interesting lessons about assumptions the last few days, with the world showing me once again that I don’t know everything - in fact, I know very little.

I hadn’t heard from someone for ages, I’d kept up my side of the conversation by e-mail, but had not had a response. And I assumed I knew why, and was accepting of that. Then - surprise! - I heard from them, and I made another assumption based on what they had said. Then I hear from them again today and once again my assumption was incorrect!

On a much less “personal” front, I was planning on going somewhere by bus, and turned up at the bus station, only to find there were no buses! My assumption there about their running times proved totally wrong, and I had to go back home again.

Both of these incidents point up something about the way I view the world, because I often think I know the answers. Often, I see others hurting themselves and want to “help”, because, after all, what I would do would be much better.

But even if meant for the best of intentions - and mostly my intentions ARE for the best - I can get it wrong for a number of simple reasons:
• I don’t know the whole story
• I don’t know what else is happening
• I can’t control others, their thoughts, actions or reactions.

I guess we can’t help but make assumptions - it seems to be part of our human make up. I can’t be down on myself for making the assumptions about the reasons for my friends actions - but I didn’t have to act on them. And that is the key, it seems to me - to do the next right thing anyway, regardless of what others may - or may not - be thinking.

In the end, I’m only responsible for my actions - just because I feel I know something, doesn’t mean I have to act on it. But I can maybe test out my assumption.

Testing out my assumption about my friend meant keeping in contact despite of what I thought I knew.

In the case of the bus, I should have checked first, and you can be sure I will next time!