We’re born and instantly begin to learn. We start learning on our own. Without language, we are familiarizing ourselves with the world we are in. When we can move on our own, we start to see these huge shadows hovering over us. Stoping us from what we were attempting to do or taste or touch. They fed us so we didn’t make too much of a fuss. In addition to being our additional shadow, they begin teaching us language. We are tricked into it because we are taught how to call them and ask for food so we are all in. Later, other words like no, stop and don’t come into play. They continue to teach us everything someone or something taught them. We are groomed to learn. Somewhere learning became the ability to repeat the statements or actions of another. The issue is there is rarely one way of exploring, explaining, or doing something. This is where the art of unlearning becomes just as important or more important than learning itself.
We learn or are told, rather than presented things throughout our life. At times, it’s information overload and we accept the information as truth or “the way.” We simply add it to our repository and move on. The problem is we didn’t explore the situation ourselves. It was not thoroughly explained to us, if at all. We didn’t do it ourselves. We didn’t “learn” it. Until we do these things, whatever is being told to us is just a story. An idealistic approach we can take but may lead us to a dead end or a bad situation because we never understood the scope of it. There is also the opposite where you are told a hand full of things in extreme detail. This is usually religion, culture, or tradition-based. This can be just as dangerous.
This is because the world which you live in consists of more than your families religion, culture, and traditions. It includes everyone’s, even those who choose to not have one or not practice one in particular. How well do you think a sheltered person will operate outside of people of their religion, culture, or tradition when they know no other way? They may also see anything outside of that as wrong or worse. My not so psychic abilities tell me it will be an unbelievable struggle resulting in that person running or retreating to the sheltered circle where they’ll continue to be fed the information they’ve heard all their life. Does that sound familiar? I’m sure it does. Let’s not forget this information or “right way” they are going back to isn’t necessarily the truth. Most of the time, it’s a comforting lie but the keyword for them is comforting and the lie part of the sentence is ignored as if it’s a silent letter or something.
Need to drop a few pounds? Keto is the way.
Take the 28 day Keto Challenge for just $37!
How do we address this? Sadly, most of us don’t. We are not in a world where truth or better ways don’t present themselves to people. We do however live in a world where the truth is seen and treated as if it’s invisible. Lies are treated with the utmost care and protection by any means necessary. Lost friendships. Lost relationships. Lost opportunities. All based off of information forced into your mental repository. It can be a code you live by but have no reasoning as to why you do. No snitching. Enemies of my friends are my enemies. Make sure everyone is okay before I take care of myself. No white after labor day.
It’s no snitching until someone in your circle is killed and you are at a vigil crying, demanding those who know someone say something. Enemies of your friends are your enemies until the enemy of your friend is also your friend. Now you have a dilemma that your “code” can’t help you with. Making sure everyone is okay around you before self-care may make you feel good but life will show you that you must take care of yourself first because if you are in lack, you are no longer in position to help others. White after labor day well, I was being funny but I’m in Atlanta and it’s bright, warm, and sunny here in November so that is out the window too.
In closing, the art of unlearning is essential in life. You can make it easier by realizing everything that is taught or told to you isn’t the truth. Even if it is, it certainly isn’t the only viewpoint. You should be excited to practice unlearning. You may unlearn that one thing that has been the reason you are not where you want to be in life. The one thing that is stopping that opportunity from approaching you. Unlearning can be hard. Acknowledging, you’ve dedicated part of your life to a falsehood, comforting lie, or an extremely narrow viewpoint can feel like a negative.
This is not the case. You are not dumb or foolish. This is what was introduced to you in abundance. You made the choice to accept it. Acceptance is not a permanent choice. It’s a daily one. You can stop anytime you want to stop. The only dumb or foolish thing would be being aware of this fact and still treating a choice as a blood oath.
Food for thought…You do the dishes.
Need to drop a few pounds? Keto is the way.
Take the 28 day Keto Challenge for just $37!
