24hrsAday

as time goes along here in my sober journey i am aware of some changes in my perception of reality.. i have been sober about 2 years and 4 months now.. my health has improved and i "feel" better than i have in a long time.. i don't know as much as i used to.. my answer to questions is "i don't know" about every other time..

tommyk

Being able to say, "I don't know", was a discovery of freedom for me.

I always thought I not only had all of the answers, but I also felt that it was my duty to provide all of the answers.

Now... I don't know.

And I kind of like it that way.

24hrsAday

me too tom..

Astro

Hopefully I'm forgetting more than I think I'm learning

I like this post, 24, it's a simple thought that's good for my recovery.

And, it reminds me that quiet humility can be much more peaceful than preaching from my podium.

Freedom1990

It was indeed a great relief not to feel like I must have all the answers for everything!

I've also found out the older I get, the smarter my parents get!

gravity

I like the words "more will be revealed."

Keep an open mind and don't force it. Amazing things happen!

paulmh

Oh I identify with this..!

You think perhaps there's a correlation?

navysteve

"There is a principle which is a bar against all information,
which is proof against all arguments and which
cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance--
that principle is contempt prior to investigation."

Herbert Spencer

If a newcomer asks a question about AA and I do not know, my answer is let's find out together.

Saying I don't know can be both liberating and imprisoning. Admitting I do not have all the answers relieves me of playing God, using I don't know as a "catch all" answer keeps me and the other members of my community deprived.

EuroDrunk

Thanks guys,

My sentiments exactly. Though at times old habits die hard...

BTW: I find saying "I don't know" not only helps in recovery. It is quite liberating in dealing with a 12 and a 14 year old in the house as well ...

Music

Any idiot knows what he knows. It takes a smart person to know what he doesn't know. Sometimes I think I'm getting smarter by the minute.

24hrsAday

i think so too music.. :rotfxko

Freedom1990

DeVon-who completely understands that angle

jimhere

How do you know what you don't know?

At the same time, I think you are realizing what is meant by "The more you know, the less you know."

Then too, Steve brought up a good point. Many use "I don't know" as an excuse to not take responsibility. I've been guilty of that. A lot of us won't bother to learn or find out anything beyond what will just get us by and we settle for that and keep ourselves in a rather easy spiritual kindergarten, as Bill called it.
Jim

sugErspun

Personally I took the post along the lines of a feeling that is more "open", not consticted to our attachments that come through "knowing". If we have to set aside that which we "think" we know ~ than the intuitiveness which comes along is a true blessing.

I know that I don't know, the upside down world of recovery.....

Not for a second did I think this post or thread had to do with shirking responsibility or having a new excuse to explain shortcomings. Not having the answer to everything, or thinking that one can possibly have the answer to everything ~ the absolute ability to say "I don't know", is a wonderful gift I have also found in the first couple years of sobriety.

I hope I don't get soo recovered that I forget the importance of these milestones to the individual...

Thank you for sharing 24hrs ~ I "know" what you mean.

navysteve

Steve said:

All I did was add my two senses here. Didn't imply anyone here is guilty of any shirking or avoidance. but I HAVE BEEN GUILTY OF EXACTLY THAT. I have dressed up apathy as acceptance, and I have done that directly under the guise of "I don't know". That is my experience and it is shared by many. No one here slightly implied to know all about anything.

If a newcomer asks a question about AA and I do not know, my answer is let's find out together.

I pray to God I never send them away with a simple I don't know. It is ok not to know, it is not ok to keep newcomers ignorant about where the solution is

keithj

Chapter 71 of the Tao. Yeah, I know it's not from the first 164, but spiritual principles are universal.

Not-knowing is true knowledge.
Presuming to know is a disease.
First realize that you are sick;
then you can move toward health.

The Master is her own physician.
She has healed herself of all knowing.
Thus she is truly whole.

sugErspun

I resonated with the original post and as I read further down, it seemed that the meaning of a spiritual insight was getting lost in 'practical application'...I wasn't trying to accuse anyone of anything or even generalize attitudes, but I can also see how it came across as such.

In the practical arena ~ I have been guilty on both sides of the ball. Claiming ignorance (I don't know) to avoid doing something as well as claiming knowledge/expertise (I can do that!) to be accepted/gain favor, money, position....

Charmie

very very relevant thread for me in my early recovery and my journey on the steps,,,have just found out that my whole life has been run on self seeking fear (and the rest!) so therefore i have an awful defence mechanism of saying,,"yes i know" and nearly jumping out of my seat all the time! wow,,,,well now it has been pointed out to me i can try and do the complete opposite! another wow,,,oh and when i was still performing if i didnt know something,which of course wasnt often (lol) i would make it up,,,the path to freedom is also one of discovery and i for one am enjoying it very much.

CarolD

This reminds me of something kids did when I was little....
You pointed at someone...then..... in a sing song chant...

"I know something you don't know
and I swore I'd never tell.... you"

My younger brother would then spit at me.
:

RufusACanal

I don't know that Carol....how cool! Not the spitting of course....lol