We're all wrong sometimes.
And I'm not talking about misspelling the word "unnecessary" or cutting someone off in traffic.
I'm talking about the fundamental belief systems we think are "one hundred percent true" but turn out to be,
well,
not so much.
I mean, the moment I found out the Pilgrims didn't actually host the first Thanksgiving was more than slightly discomforting (and also immensely enlightening and helpful).
The church I used to belong to used to teach us that black people were not as "valiant" in heaven and "bore the curse of Cain." I mean, what? How was that even remotely ok?
And here's a whole list of things we were taught in school that have turned out to be wrong.
The point is, is that we don't know everything.
Nobody does.
Not your favorite preacher, prophet, politician, or scientist.
Not your mother, brother, aunt, grandpa, or best friend.
Not even you.
Not even your gut (or intuition) gets it right all the time.
I know, shocking, right?
And if you think your gut can never be wrong, take a look at this article, which may help you reconsider. In it, the writer, Eric Bonabeau says that "anyone who thinks that intuition is a substitute for reason is indulging in a risky delusion." I wholeheartedly agree.
So why does it even matter for us to admit that we don't always get things right?
Why even bother acknowledging this fundamental reality of the human experience?
I think the answer lies in the connection of our shared humanity.
It points to the gentle hope that when we dance through life in a posture of humble, curious exploration and learning, rather than presumptuous, rigid, arrogance and ignorance, we are simply better people.
We have better relationships.
There is more kindness, love, compassion, and honest, authentic growth.
There is less heartbreak, egotism, and conceit.
There is more understanding and validation for those who have been misunderstood, marginalized, and misjudged among us.
And I don't know about you, but that sounds pretty good to me.
That sounds like a world I would like to live in - a world that is willing to say the three most important words in the English language,
"I was wrong."
Lots of love to all of us imperfectly beautiful humans,
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