What if I'm Wrong?

It's my greatest fear. Being wrong. I feel a strong sense of certainty and then... all of a sudden... I learn something new and I find out that I've been thinking or going about it all wrong.

"A great challenge in life: knowing enough to think you are right, but not knowing enough to know that you are wrong." - Neil DeGrasse Tyson

"The one true wisdom is knowing that you know nothing." - Socrates

I recently asked a mentor about this... a woman that I highly admire and I've seen make pivots throughout her career. She's always seem at home with sharing her knowledge and wisdom. And yet, I have seen her change her mind and grow. Therein lies the key, growth.

She shared that she always come out with it, and quickly, as soon as she resizes that something has changed... either her internal truth of an offer or new understanding. But she emphasized the power in swift and open honesty. I respect that.

Trying to wait until I am absolutely certain of something has been the flavor of fear that has stopped me from standing in my truth and sharing, more times than I can count.

Waiting until I know absolutely everything and that I am certain of it all means that I will have to wait until I am dead. And that's not serving anyone while I am alive.

And so I reserve the right to grow and change. I reserve the right to be human and share my understanding as it is, in the here and now. And I am getting more comfortable with the idea that I might have a different opinion in the future based on something I might learn or understand tomorrow.

It's not an option to me to hold to what I knew yesterday just because I have stated it publicly... even though I have learned something new that casts that knowing into question. That is not ok with me. It goes against my internal barometer of right.

And so I declare... I am wrong about something. I just don't know yet what that might be. But I remain committed to learning and growing, always. And when I find out where I might be mistaken, I commit to sharing it. That is all that I can do while I still share and grow.

I share my persecutive not as the intimate truth, but as my perception and experience.

As always, take what serves you and leave the rest.