If a = b, and b = c, then a = c. It's simple math, right? I remember learning
this the first week of Algebra I and wondering why we had to "learn" this
obvious truth.
While the above formula works well in math, it doesn't work
so well in life. Situation a is never exactly equal to situation b. And
situation b may differ ever-so-slightly from situation c. So resolving situation
a will always be different from situation c.
Why am I drawing this
comparison? Because of our natural tendency to
compete in the "broad jump" of life - jumping to conclusions. When we
participate in the broad jump to conclusions, I can assure you of one simple
truth - you will often fall into the ravine of regret. No matter how good you
think you are at reading situations and people and jumping to the "right
conclusion," you will be wrong more than you are right - and you will regret
making the jump.
To avoid the ravine of regret, we must undertake the
difficult task of getting to know people and striving to "seek first to
understand" (per Stephen Covey's 7 Habits). This process is time consuming,
difficult, and sometimes messy. But the outcome keeps us out of the ravine of
regret and we will find ourselves safely in the fields of wisdom - a much better
place to be.
