Miller-Tiedeman's LifeProcess Theory & Lifecareer Philosophy offers Quantum physics principles useful in everyday life. In addition, when Life is the big career, any topic is fair-game, because life direction is not just about work. 
What we think we know

(C) Anna Miller-Tiedeman 2011
Permission granted for educational use.

            Josh Billings, a humorist, reportedly said, “I believe when we stumble and fall, it’s not because our reasoning faculties have failed us. It because of what we know that just isn’t so.”

            When I think of all the approaches to diet and nutrition, this quote frequently comes to mind. For instance, those who tout the high protein diet, the grapefruit diet, the high carbohydrate diet to name a few. Each of these approaches contains some truth, but alone they each leave something to be desired. We read the claims and frequently decide that it represents truth for us, even though the approach may not have anything to do with how the body really works. But the person writing has either a Ph.D. or an M. D., so we quickly conclude that he or she is correct. Unfortunately, we frequently feel better for a week or two, and then if we keep at it, we often feel worse.

            I’m reminded of the health seminar I attended where the presenter told the story of seeing a woman from a large vegetarian community in the audience. He said to her, “Why are you here? You know I recommend some meat in the diet.” She replied, “Our community isn’t feeling well and I wanted to learn more.” This woman knew that at least for her vegetarian community, the notion they collectively shared wasn’t true in the long run, because too many were not feeling well.

            George Washington would have lived longer if his doctors had not thought they were entirely correct to bleed him. Losing blood most likely weakened him to the point he didn’t survive. We now know that bleeding someone isn’t a good thing. His doctor knew something that just wasn’t true.

            Think about the people who believe you have to buy a spray-can of Ant killer to exterminate an ant. They muck up their lungs and the lungs of those around them. Sure, they kill the ant, but they’ve also damaged their body. What they didn’t know is that you can quickly kill ants with glass cleaner, a much safer and cheaper product.

            In the medical arena, I’m reminded of how easy it is to be hung up on a professional you’ve gotten to know. In the late 1990s, David (my husband) had a skin condition that needed immediate care. I called and our regular doctor couldn’t see us for at least two months. We needed a quicker appointment, so the receptionist asked if we wanted to see the new doctor. Immediately I thought “no,” then I decided to step back, build some new neurons in my brain, and do something different, like make an appointment with the new doctor. We got in within three days. The doctor was superb and outstanding, and I think better than our regular doctor.

        I learned that had I not gone beyond what I thought I knew, I would not have met this wonderful doctor, nor would I have learned how limiting what I think I know actually is.

I had the same experience when a minister left a church we attended in Carlsbad, California. I thought he couldn’t be replaced, that his take on the scriptures was so superb. It turned out that I liked the new minister even better. She had a perspective I found very refreshing. In fact, those wonderful Christians managed to get rid of her a mere 6 months after arrival. That’s what those at the lower stages of personal development do. You might even think of it as professional bullying. In other words, “You don’t fit our Conforming paradigm (belief) system, therefore, you need to go.” Invented reality then kicks to provide a reason for the expulsion.

Moving on, I’ve learned that I like being with individuals who live beyond the Conforming stage of development, as they tend to be more present in the moment, they take more risks, and they language their thoughts more creatively. In taking responsibility for their perceptions they, rather naturally, commit more random acts of kindness.

            So, these days, I let those winds of grace blow over me and carry me through those moments of hesitation and inappropriate determination. This helps me come into a more loving and forgiving place, a place where I don’t stumble and fall because I’ve failed to forgive myself for those times when I was less than I know I could or should have been. I want more of those moments where I am conscious of being the person I know I am.  

        This returns me to what Josh Billings so profoundly said, “I believe that when we stumble and fall, it’s not because our reasoning faculties have failed us, it’s because of what we know that just isn’t so. 
        I'm Dr. Anna Miller-Tiedeman, Director of the NEW Careering Institute, Inc., and I* welcome your comments and questions. anna@life-is-career.com.