It Was A Pretty Place of Ignorance

Ignorance is bliss – temporary, but even so, still bliss. I wonder if in the context of self-discovery/growth, it can be reflected upon with appreciation for the simplicity of the moment rather than disgust in that we did not know better. It’s a simple thought, but one with a conclusion drastically impacting the perspective from which a story is told.

Bliss dissolves into disgust when the unknown reveals itself, shaking the foundation of that which we were certain of. Fear, regret, and shame flood in through the cracks, triggering a need for protection. Labeling our old selves as fools is a form of such protection, but in protecting our pride, we lose a beautiful story, sweeping it under the rug to avoid embarrassment.

Life unfolds in chapters. What begins as bliss turns into heartbreak which eventually becomes forgiveness and a deeper capacity for grace. We did not suddenly land in grace. We first had to live and believe what we saw. There is no shame in this. We can only know what we know until one day we know more.

This speaks to the fullness required in living; an admission of every experience. If we disregard our chapters, our stories become both fictional and useless. We want love without heartbreak, friendship without fights, dreams without disappointment, and wins without losses because too many stories are already told in part, deceiving us into believing the former opposes the latter. In reality, the things we wish to ignore lay the path for where we want to go.

Yesterday does not need to be a disappointment because today didn’t turn out the way we thought it would. Yesterday was beautiful. Yesterday was a gift. Yesterday taught us something we need for tomorrow to become what it now can be. Yesterday was holy ground, fully deserving the telling of its chapter.

Ignorance does not mean foolishness. Don’t let a beautiful time of life be ruined or ignored because things changed. You are not a fool. You are living fully.