This sounds a little dangerous, doesn't it?
And yet, we make assumptions every day in all kinds of circumstances. In fact, we make hundreds---if not thousands--- of assumptions every day. Why do we do it?
Well, when I think about it, it would be completely impractical to live our lives with any continuity or flow without making many assumptions. I mean, if we did not assume that other drivers would usually obey traffic laws, we would be too cautious and slow to ever drive anywhere---it would take hours to get to our destinations.
Where we get into trouble is when we make assumptions that do not pan out. The light turns green and we proceed into the intersection and get T-Boned by a drunk driver who is unable to function........My wife says she will meet me at the restaurant at 7:00, but she doesn't show up because she assumed it was another restaurant (yes...this has happened).......My boss asks me to do something, but I assume it is a low priority. It isn't. You get the picture. We've all been there.
I've been thinking about assumptions lately because it has occurred to me just how really important it is to make intelligent ones. Does government make intelligent assumptions? No. Look at the mess that causes. Sometimes our doctor makes an assumption that is wrong---that can lead to really bad things.
Then, there are the assumptions we make on an interpersonal level. Poor assumptions in this area can ruin relationships. Not long ago we had friends over for dinner. This was a couple we knew (we thought very well) from church. Following dinner, we went to the living room. I had the idea that it might be fun to play a simple little word game for fun.
WRONG. About two minutes after play commenced, the man and woman guests began arguing about which of them had the right answer to the last question. This arguement continued to build for the next 10 minutes until there was an atmosphere of contention and animosity. It got ugly. I stopped the "game" and we never looked at them the same way again. All because I assumed the game would be "fun".
Of course, I guess the absolute worst assumptions are those made between man and woman---especially early in relationships. Sometimes our assumptions occur because we WANT them to be true. This can be deadly.
What are your thoughts about assumptions?
