If you Travel East, It Will Cause The Sun to Rise

You are probably wondering what in the world this crazy talk is all about!  Well, ironically, that is the point: that it is crazy talk.  Unwittingly, many people live their lives this way.  Many of us make (self proclaimed) profound statements based exclusively upon the information we have.  Certainly, our own experiences help us to form insight, but Dad always wanted me to recognize the foolishness of being certain that I always had all of the information.

The saying developed from our mornings of him driving me to school.  It was roughly a thirty minute drive to the East every morning.  The example that he developed for me was that it was obvious that when we drive East, the sun rises.  He was pointing out that with a myopic point of view, a person is unable to develop a frame of reference for understanding true causation.  Certainly, we can make our best educated decisions, and work fervently to gather information prior to taking action, however, no matter how much we know, we must recognize that there is always going to be more information.  We must watch for it, accept it when it arrives, and adjust our thinking every day to encompass a deepening understanding of life.

To a child, the concept of the sun rising because we drive East every day is reasonable.  However, as you grow to understand the rotation of the planets, the seasons, and other events defined by physics of which I have little knowledge, we discover that the sun continues to rise even on the days we play hooky.

Be ready to gain new information, and be willing to allow your opinions and understanding and even convictions to change with your newfound knowledge.

"To Be An Expert, All You Need...

is 50 miles and a briefcase."  Another way I have heard this expressed is "You can't be a traveling preacher in your own town."  What great life lesson is in this?  Well there are several that Dad taught me using this line, but one had the biggest impact.  The lesson is that sometimes you need someone else with 50 miles and a briefcase to express your message for you.  What I mean by this is: at times, although the message might be meaningful, timely, and accurate, we just may be the wrong messenger.  On these occasions, we must set our pride aside and find the traveling preacher to deliver it for us.

For example: Growing up there were several things that I needed to here - as is true with any young person.  However, I often resisted the important lessons that my parents were desperately trying to convey.  Dad always sought ways for me to get the information that was important to my development by setting aside himself, and seeking another coach for me.  Whether is was one of my uncles that he knew I respected, a family friend, or a teacher, he would seek them out to convey any particular lesson of adulthood.  Please understand, I truly believe he never told any of these people what to say, but simply opened up the opportunity for people that both of us liked, trusted and respected.  He simply put me in touch with people he was certain would give me the best advice and information; people that truly cared for me.

The idea of finding someone to convey the message you want to deliver is an important one, but the real value I have taken away is the importance of truth being bigger than the individual.  If it is so important for the message to be heard, then the best person to deliver it is the one who will be listened too; it's never about being the exalted messenger.