Progressing in a particular field, one finds himself in a relation with other participants of the game. Some are behind us. Some are before us.

Such hierarchy concerns many fields of human endeavours. Whenever competence is discernible and various players can be differentiated from the others – a natural hierarchy results.

 

One curious observation concerning being in a hierarchy is that it is far easier to understand those below us, then it is those beyond us.

It’s quite logical to deduce that those beyond us are equipped with a superior knowledge, which appears cryptic to us in a given moment, yet becomes gradually more comprehensible as we progress in a given field.

Conversely – those below us, it is safe to assume, do not posses our knowledge, our experience, of yet, and oftentimes, are struggling with the problems we have already solved down the road.

From such position it is simple to understand those below us, but it is not simple understanding those beyond us.

Realizing this simple truth could be of paramount benefit. It’s a very profound lesson of modesty. Truly, to learn, to progress – one has to meet the new again, one has to not know again.

It appears, however, that we do exactly the opposite.

What we don’t understand – we condemn.

What we are unable to grasp – we reject.

It’s ironical, that this very moment we are actually destroying our only opportunity for improvement.

 

Seek out what you don’t understand.

If someone’s actions baffle you – that person is likely knows something that you don’t.

In this crazy life we don’t always have the luxury of knowing somebody’s competence, of knowing who to trust and who to listen to.

Again – go after those that you don’t understand.

Again – go after that which you don’t understand.

If there truly was nothing to learn from them – you’d know this instantly. They would be like you.

Seek variety. Seek variance. It is then that you meet the new.

Only in the contact with the new can you be learning.