A thought has been running through my head these past few days. It made me think of the comedian actor Tony Randall, who was on the Johnny Carson show one time, when Carson said he had assumed something about Randall. Randall said something to the effect, that when you assume something, you make an ass of you and me.
It made me think of how many times I assume things about others. Like I was a mind reader or something. Often what I assume never comes out that way. How would I know what others are thinking? Yet, my mind often goes that way.
Assuming or presuming something to be true is an alley way to trouble in the making. Just because someone acts a certain way or says something, which raises some doubts or suspicions in me, does not necessarily mean it’s real. In fact, it could well be the opposite of what I’m thinking at the time.
This is an old habit of thinking. A hangover from my past. But one, nevertheless, which can get me into real trouble.
The idea of reserving judgment is still something I have to work at. It doesn’t come naturally. But it does make me stop and think I need to keep my thoughts to myself. To shut up and not say anything. To mind my own business.
Assuming anything is not sober living. When I presume to know, it can raise all kinds of problems within me. If I’m to remain at peace and live serenely, I need to get rid of this old habit. The 10th Step and talking to another alcoholic in confidence can very well break this kind of thinking down.
Anyway, when I was thinking about sober living the other day, the thought of my making assumptions came to the surface. It made me resolve to do something about it.
Thinking about my primary purpose and practicing these principles in all of my affairs. All of them.