“Everything is explained now…sometimes I’d just as soon continue wondering.”
– Tom Waits –
Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should.
I think about that every time I compulsively reach for my “phone” to look up the answer to the latest question that has shown up in conversation. I get consumed by the feeling that I “have to know!”
What if instead of reacting impulsively in that moment I could pause to simply state: “I wonder what it could be.” and then ask “What are the possible explanations?” and then take some time to consider them!
If the building is on fire I need to find the exit right now.
And since the building is rarely on fire, I might stop acting like needing to know is a matter of life or death. (I might.)
{Hat tip to Duncan Berry, who at 18 years old continues to ask questions as if he’s never of Google!}
DAVID BERRY is the author of “A More Daring Life: Finding Voice at the Crossroads of Change” and the founder of RULE13 Learning. He speaks and writes about the complexity of leading in a changing world. Connect with him on Twitter at @berrydavid.
