The Wisdom of "I Don't Know"

I don’t know about you, but there are so many hard core opinions and “so called” facts flying around out there that my brain simply cannot process them all.  My brain is tired. I am even tired of my own opinions.  And what does anyone know anyway?  What most of us are spouting are the product of our own limited programming, experiences, and learning. The world is so complex, how can any of us know much of anything for absolute certain? We have a  birds eye view of the world but we too often act as though we know everything.

Of course, we have been trained to think that we should have answers. If we don’t have the answers we look stupid, or so we have been taught. I think we have almost beaten each other to death with our opinions and judgements.

There is great wisdom in acknowledging that you don’t know. Within your “I don’t knows”, is an openness to new information and understanding. It is also an acknowledgement that your mind is much too limited to understand the great miracles and mysteries of life, even though it is sometimes filled with tragedy and injustice. So here are three questions I ask myself when I am feeling bombarded by the constant spouting of judgements and opinions by others, regardless of the side they may be on. 

Is it imperative that I have an answer and opinion on everything? 

Can I control anyone or anything other than myself? 

Am I serving myself or the greater good by rehashing over and over why I disagree with the actions and beliefs of others?