(image courtesy of David J Plant)
How freeing it is to let go of some of our assumptions, of some of the truisms that hem us in more than they free us. Of course this is tricky, I think, because the border between a truth that is holding us back and one that illuminates the way is vanishingly narrow. Some truths, some things we know, are crystalline and blazing in their power. These, I believe, we ought to cling to with all our might. Some of them are hard-won, after all, their knowledge and insight earned through tears, experience, pain. These we should allow to guide our choices and our lives. But other truths weight us down, saddle us with expectations we can never meet or cynicism we ought to shed. How to tell the difference? I’m not quite sure.
The poster does allude to something I feel is undeniably true: the older I get, the less I feel sure of. Across the board. This is an aspect of adulthood that I did not anticipate, and I while I try to embrace it it does, sometimes, unnerve me.
What can I let go of today? Or, at least, what can I identify as something I should learn to let go of?
- The world is a zero-sum place
- It is not all about me (this is a hard one!)
- Skinny jeans are always awful
- This winter will never end
- Seeking input = being solipsistic
- That I’ll ever have a Big Career
I am sure there are more. Topic for another post is exploring those few things of which I am absolutely sure.
I just wanted to say I totally get this! it's so hard to figure out what is truth and what's just JUNK that isn't and fills our minds, distracting us from truth. Hard work. I never thought this would be such a big part of adulthood either…
Interesting topic, though I have actually felt more liberated by truth than inhibited by it as I have grown older. I used to assume everyone than I did, that I was the only one who didn't immediately get it. Now, a month after my 39th birthday, I am slowly realizing that I was duped. I wish hadn't wasted so much time being intimidated by them. I know now that there are of course many people who are brilliant and from whom I can learn from even if I will never be as smart as they are. But often the ones who intimidate and bully are the ones with no there there.
I also know now that there is no point assessing what others around you have, look like or do. Someone will always be better and some will be worse. Other people's situations don't make you prettier, smarter or richer or affect your abilty to change things about yourself. So these are my big truths. I have lots of little ones that I won't bore you with except to say I am with you on the skinny jeans (though I am betting you probably look great in them!)
After having read Big Little Wolf's blog on comfort zones, this one threw me but drew me in at the same time. You are so right that there is a fine line and that we do need to let go of some things. Hopefully, we all know which to let go of as, with you, I think I may know less as I get older but don't tell my kids.