THURSDAY THOUGHTS: JUNETEENTH

Someone always knows. 

Often, a serious situation arises, and someone boasts, “Oh, I been known that!”

The question to them is, “Why didn’t you tell anyone else?”

How, when, and to whom information is disclosed makes a difference. It’s the difference between freedom and continued bondage.

Sometimes, those who aren’t informed, for fear of what they might do with the information, are the ones who need it, or could help the most.

What’s the payoff for keeping some people in the dark? Why is some information considered exclusive, held back, or on a need-to-know basis? When information destined for others is gained, why the delay in sharing it? Is it control, pride, fear, pettiness, protection, or evil?

Sometimes you stumble upon information accidentally. Why didn’t you know that particular things were available, options, happening, or even in existence? You weren’t supposed to know. It wasn’t for you. Someone was worried about what would happen if the information was in your hands. Would you laugh, cry, gloat, pray, gossip, or use your knowledge, connections, expertise, experience, or resources to be of assistance? Now that you do know, what do you do with it? Is information utility or weaponry? Do you relegate it to none of your business? Do you pretend you don’t know?

Sometimes, people are sworn to secrecy, or ordered not to share—but know the good that can arise from the knowledge, and share ANYWAY. 

Why do only special people get the information? In cases of something as trivial as an itinerary, why can’t everyone involved be able to plan and prepare in a timely fashion? Why wait until the last minute to give people the information they need? Is it procrastination, forgetfulness, carelessness, or a deliberate omission?

Now that information is documented, fact checked, time and date stamped, and widely, and swiftly disseminated, and only a Google search away, many fight in vain to keep others limited, confused, misinformed, or just plain ignorant. 

These days, not knowing, not reading, not investigating, not discerning, not understanding, not facing facts, not thinking, not being honest, not seeking clarity, not studying, not learning, and not verifying, are practically choices. For many things, if you want to know, or be better informed, you can. That’s where interest, mind expansion, and horizon broadening comes in. If it’s about you, it should concern you. How are others more knowledgeable about you than you are? Sources are everywhere and everything. The key is mining the right, ethical, trusted, qualified ones.

My Dad used to say, “Find out for yourself. Don’t just take people’s word for it—especially on the phone. Get a name. Write stuff down. People will tell you anything over the phone. Sometimes, you have to look people in the face, and remind them what they said and did”.