For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes 1:
Have you ever thought you know too much? It seems like a crazy question to ask and to think about, but something to ponder for a moment or two. Here is why I think it is something to investigate.
As a child, many could be unaware of so many things in the world when I was growing up. However, today more and more of the protected unknowns are finding their way into the lives of everyone, from young to old.
The rise in stress, anxiety, and depression in all age groups could be connected to this knowledge. It is a thought worth thinking about. How much of the world’s negativity are we welcoming into our lives freely without questions? As adults, are we fearful of shutting out those things threatening the values, beliefs, and the core of the authenticity of what our families stand for today?
Shutting out the negative noise of the world is something we can do from time to time. We are helping to establish a time to discuss appropriately as a family what is heard, seen, and the perceptions of what is happening. Provide a balance of encouragement to answer questions to understand and to help guide children with the foundation of the family.
Knowledge
Knowledge is vital to all of us. We need to be informed and understand what is happening in the world in which we live. Having a true whole picture of balance with each issue is what is needed for the depth of understanding we need. Providing our children and others with short little bits of informational headlines repeated can instill fear, uncertainty, stress, anxiety, and depression, to name a few.
Having time to sit down to talk about issues and helping others feel good and safe will relieve many of the symptoms of uncertainty placed on individuals. Knowledge can help us grow if the learning is meaningful and authentic.
What do you want to know? How will you gain the knowledge you seek? What will you do when you learn the answer? Help children feel safe to ask questions at home they want and need to have answers to. Open communication with a listening ear is essential and not a judgmental one. Help them see, hear and learn from you the questions the seek yo understand.