“Wished I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then…” Now that’s a powerful thought. Thanks to rocker Bob Seger in his song Against the Wind.
Back then I didn’t know that thing, that sad or awful or scary thing. Now I know it – but I wish I didn’t. Maybe it was easier not knowing it. Maybe it’s less painful not knowing it. Or maybe it isn’t important enough to know and now it’s cluttering my mind.
Or maybe knowing now means growing up. Opening my eyes. Facing the truth. Accepting reality. Knowing what I need to know to be a better person, a stronger person, a just person.
Here’s another thought from novelist Robert B. Parker, in his final novel, Painted Ladies: “The cumulative effect of moderate and often was pretty much the same as big, serious.”
Think about that statement, its implications. For example: Stuff accumulates and accumulates. And what once was no big deal becomes a really big deal. A moderately low donor retention rate happens rather frequently. What once was of some concern becomes a big, serious issue rather quickly.
Are you watching closely enough? Do you notice what’s happening? Do you fix moderate and often before it becomes big and serious?
