"The more I learn, the less I realise I know" - Socrates
These wise words from the great Socrates really embody some thoughts I've been ruminating over lately.
Over the past 12 months, I've read more books than in the previous 31 years of my life.
My interest is peaked here and there, and I find myself being drawn deeper and deeper down various rabbit holes, or being made aware of entirely new ones of equal or greater interest.
It has been the best 12 months of my life, and I can say that each day I am so thankful for the knowledge that I am able to consume and that I am a better version of myself everyday.
It also excites me greatly that I will have the opportunity to be a student for as long as I live, and have fully embraced this with open arms, mind, soul and spirit.
The 3 notable things I've learnt from this particular self-reflection?
1. Humility - I don't know everything (in fact, what I know is much closer to nothing!), and I never will. The sooner you are at peace with this within yourself, the sooner your mind will open to endless possibilities of knowledge, wisdom, growth and unlocking your infinite potential to do whatever your true self desires!
2. Perspective & Open-Mindedness - I was arrogant, stubborn and thought my way was the best/only way. Just because I have a strong belief about something doesn't make it true or that everyone else feels the same way. Everyone is completely unique, and so too their perspectives. You don't have to agree; just respect that it is very plausible for others to have differing points of view and accept this fact.
3. Just because we don't understand doesn't mean it isn't real - I used to think that if it isn't proven by science, then it's not true. Having read many research papers, scientific studies and studied experts from various fields, terms such as 'correlation', 'relationship to', 'may imply...', 'strongly indicate', etc. are commonly used. Many openly admit that they have only 'scratched the surface' of their respective field(s) of research. Science is an understanding of a subject matter at a point in time. Be pragmatic, and open to possibilities of things which are outside of our understanding. After all, we did once believe that the Earth was flat...
Learn, be humble and respect others, always.
Strive to live, live to strive.
Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash