Understanding has always held a high priority for me. I can cope with just about anything, if I understand. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always occur and we’re left pondering the why. Pondering doesn’t typically get us anywhere but that’s still what we do.
Why is understanding important? Webster’s definition of understanding gives us the reason: the power to think and learn, to perceive the meaning of, to know the nature, character of. For people who seek meaning, understanding is an extremely important consideration. It’s because this gives us a framework in which we can view what’s happening in our lives.
For me, understanding is the second step after knowing. Knowing is the start of the journey because we can’t get anywhere without knowing, but understanding comes next. Understanding helps us begin to appreciate the ‘why’ and this helps us grow. However, it’s how we handle those situations that we can’t understand that really marks our growth.
So what do you do when nothing seems to makes sense or you just don’t understand what is happening or why? One of the first things I try to do is to determine if my question is an issue of ‘what’ or ‘why’, because they are not necessarily the same. I know that sounds like a ‘rational’ approach and less likely to occur in a highly charged situation but I still try. I tend to be quite logical so this mindset is an easier one to adopt. Still, in this knowing of what/why one still may not be much closer to understanding – but it does provide a framework.
As much as I may not like it, understanding may not come immediately. It may be a situation in which understanding comes as you act on what you believe. There’s an old gospel song that says, “We’ll understand it better… by and by.” And perhaps, the fact that eventually understanding will come will be sufficient.
