Everyone’s Selling Something…
No one has all the answers…
I can almost remember the exact moment I realized that grown-ups didn’t have all the answers. It hit me like a punch to the gut. I was about 14 or 15 when I had the epiphany. I had felt it from a much younger age, perhaps more in revolt than in true realization. I was raised to respect my elders, and I mistakenly equated respect with absolute trust and acceptance, even when I disagreed. I can’t remember exactly what triggered this realization. I simply remember the feeling, thinking long and hard on it, until it felt like a heavy fog had lifted, revealing a crisp, clear reality. There was something both liberating and sad about that day.
Either way, I was scrolling through social media and kept coming across posts selling some type of knowledge or claiming to reveal some implicit truth. Experts debunking and fact-checking. Then I saw a post listing all the types of water that were supposedly harmful to drink. After listing them, the person sighed in exasperation only to follow up with a pitch: “Follow me to learn how to be healthy.”
And there’s nothing wrong with that, we all know social media is a marketing vehicle for selling knowledge, services, and products. But it got me thinking about the need for discernment in what we consume.
We know more today than we did yesterday, and we know less today than we will tomorrow. There will always be someone who knows more than you, and there will always be someone who knows less. Not everything we call a fact is absolute, even facts backed by science. As science and technology advance, they often debunk or refine what we once considered an absolute truth, or studies can contradict and leave us more confused. Some mysteries may never be known, and perhaps they’re not meant to be. Others may only be uncovered far into the future or at some great cost. And if you really think about it, as a species, we are still in our infancy. There is so much more to learn and discover and perhaps, dare I say, rediscover and relearn.
This isn’t to say we should reject expertise, but rather that we should recognize knowledge as an evolving process. The key is learning how to think critically rather than blindly accepting everything or rushing to blindly pour our trust into someone or something. The whole point of this article is to emphasize discernment. Be careful with what you ingest, be mindful of where you place your trust, and do your best to absorb what truly resonates with your well-being and personal growth while filtering out what doesn’t. Not all information is sound. Not all advice is helpful. Not all experts are correct or trustworthy. Quick fixes are never quick. You can learn and do hard things. And most importantly, you are unique; what works for someone else may have quite the opposite effect on you.
Learn to question everything and everyone, not in a malicious or suspicious way, but in the way a child would, with innocent curiosity. What is this data? Where does it come from? How much can I learn about it? Can I learn about it on my own? Can I experience it on my own? Who is this person? What’s their story? What’s their intention? Who are they affiliated with? Does this speak to me? Why or why not?
Do I agree with this or not, and why? Is this interesting or helpful to know? Is this rubbish? Is this valid? Is this helpful?
Whatever the case may be, whatever the topic, learn to assess before rushing to accept or buy into something, only to later feel regret or a sense of unease. Ask yourself: Does this make sense? Does it feel right for me?
Wisdom isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about questioning what you learn, what you know, and learning to trust your intuition.
It might save you a couple of pennies too!
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This post may reflect personal experiences, opinions, and/or creative expressions. It is intended for general reflection and inspiration only and should not be construed as professional advice. Please review the Site Policies for more information.
