I’ve started to write this blog about five times and have never gotten through it and today a friend mirrored my thoughts in such as way that I had to complete this entry. It’s what I’ve come to call the myth of “I don’t know”.

I’ve been talking to a few folks here and there who find themselves in a quandary. There’s a fork in the road and they swear that they have no idea which course of action is right. Often times they torture themselves wrestling between instinct and intellect. It’s a position I am all too familiar with.

When I listen to their stories what I hear is a very clear answer. I hear which direction they truly want to head, but that direction rarely without rippling ramifications and or crippling guilt (a whole blog to come on guilt in the near future).

Today I found myself catching up with an old acquaintance who carries a lot of history and as I was swept up in conversation I asked him for advice. After saying that he had no opinion he asked me what I think I should do. (It should be mentioned that this is exactly how I handle situations like this).

I responded in two ways. The first was out of ego and I quickly restated a response that felt true and right. “Welp,” he said with a smile, “It sounds like you’ve taken the time to fill out the form and all you need to do it check the box to accept the terms and conditions.” Of course it was the excruciating option he was referencing, but it’s the right thing to do. He was really saying, “You don’t need my advice, the answer is within you.”

I took a seminar with Mastin Kipp and he responded to people in a similar way. When they would say, “I don’t know,” he would say, “But if you did know, what would the answer be?” It would trip people up, but they would always come around to the truth.

To be honest, I don’t know that I have it in me today to do the right thing. I’m not sure I’ll have it in me tomorrow, or next week, or next month. All I do know is that I know the right course of action. And you know in your heart of hearts what’s true for you.

You really don’t need outside advice or influence. It comes with other people’s pretext, opinions and egotistical (even if unintended) motives. But when you say the truth out loud is often rings with a honesty that cannot be denied. As if you ring a bell inside of your soul that’s in perfect pitch. Listen to that sound and when you have the strength, speak the truth.