I'm Wrong and Ignorant and Thankful.

There was a time in my life when I, like many people, tried to nail down reality. I wanted to keep it in place, so that whatever knowledge I acquired would always be true, and I would always be right. Since I began studying Buddhism four years ago, however, I've learned a lot about reality and the fluid nature of what we consider to be truths versus untruths. 

1. I'm wrong.

I'm wrong because I am not right. I now strive to understand reality instead of conquering it with righteousness. What does being right ever afford anyone, other than the ephemeral feeling of righteousness? Just like any sensation, righteousness is fleeting. I find myself arguing less and less at this point in my life. I am much more inclined to open a true dialogue of understanding and simply gain the perspective of the person opposing me. Try being wrong, I assure you there is not so much to lose in the endeavor. You may even find that life is less stressful, more enjoyable, when you do not carry with you the inclination to be righteous.

2. I'm ignorant.

Because of the fluid nature of this life, truth is ever changing. Though some truths are static, such as scientific laws and math, people are different. All of the reality that people create is also fluid. Because of this perpetual shape shifting state of things, it has become my imperative to simply embrace my ignorance. I don't mean to be purposefully ignorant, but find it less damaging that feigning knowledge. This is very conducive to playing well with others, because people change. They change a lot. If you try to nail down someone's identity, you will only find yourself shocked when they change their behavior, as we all have a tendency of doing.

Some of the wisest people I have had the pleasure of meeting have been at peace with stating "I don't know" if they truly do not. What is life, or its purpose? Sometimes it is okay to say "I don't know." We're all mere mortals, trying to find a worthwhile way to spend our allotted time. I won't spend that time deceiving myself and others by claiming to know things I do not.

3. Thankful.

I'm becoming increasingly aware of my own inner dialogue and its nature of generating self-pity or complaint within me. As I see these negative dialogues arising, I must redirect the ship, and so I remind myself that I can breathe, I can run, I can smile, and I'm capable of making my own happiness or contentment. We cannot all be happy all of the time, but we can achieve a level of understanding and reassure ourselves that, though we may be unhappy in a particular moment, the unhappy feeling will pass.

I'm thankful for the incredible variation that life gives me. Nothing is ever mundane to me any longer. Every day is a subtle variation from the last. When we believe that each day is the same and that life has lost its luster, it is because we have allowed the inner dialogue of self pity to sink its hooks deep into our conscience. With awareness we can stave off this unsavory dialogue.

Much of being wrong, ignorant, and thankful has to do with relinquishing some of our ego. If you approach each day with the mentality that you have something to prove, or you must be someone you are not, or be a particular way for other people, you then acquiesce to an unhappy disingenuous lifestyle. Be authentic, be human. This may portend that you are not always right, but being right is a hollow pursuit. It may also portend claiming some level of ignorance, but in the vast world of knowledge before us, it is only logical that we do not know everything. Finally, be thankful! We are allotted this time alive in these mortal bodies, and no one can say for sure what lies beyond that allotment of time. It would serve us well to acknowledge the great pleasure we get to experience in simply being able to be alive and experience the great adventure of reality.