Knowing the right answer is great for school, but not always for life. Knowledge only takes us so far. We can pass the test and still fail at life.
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
For example, knowing I should call my friend, spend quality time with my wife, or encourage my kids is not the same as actually doing these things.
If given a quiz, I could get all the right answers. But it matters little if this knowledge does not translate into meaningful action.
At some point I have to pick up the phone and call my friend, schedule a date with my wife, and speak life into my children.
Simply knowing is not enough. My knowledge must translate into action in order to have a meaningful impact on the world around me.
This is not to discount the value of knowledge. Certainly there are times when we do not know and must learn before we act.
Rushing ahead in ignorance can lead to a lot of grief.
For instance, we need to know the basics of driving before getting on the interstate. Likewise, many men could benefit from having a deeper appreciation and understanding of their sexuality.
But even here, at some point we have to actually drive the vehicle and express our sexuality.
Reading another book or listening to another podcast does not replace actual experience and active engagement with life.
So by all means, keep learning and discovering – there is so much we don’t know.
At the same time, don’t confuse knowing with doing. Take what you’ve learned and put it into action.
Knowing is not enough until we show up and contribute – engaging our bodies and not just our minds.
