The paradox is one of our most valuable spiritual possessions..only the paradox comes anywhere near to comprehending the fullness of life.
Carl Jung - 1875 - 1961.
On my lazy Sunday afternoon walk, which started on a beautifully sunny afternoon, the weather changed quite suddenly, and the wind blew sand in my eyes and stopped me in my tracks.
After recollecting myself and my senses, I started walking again and found myself in the middle of a sun shower.
As I walked, I watched adults run for cover, and the children heightened in their awareness, laughing as they ran for cover as well, urged to do so by their seemingly agitated parents.
Where across the course of your day today, could you consider where it might be that your reaction to events might be paradoxical to their urgency or importance?
Sometimes contradictions aren’t in the sky. They’re in the beliefs we’ve absorbed, or the wisdom we repeat, without ever questioning.
There are many popular expressions which we use to support a belief, which are misinterpretations of the original meaning.
Where across the course of your day today, could you consider where it might be that if a sun shower can teach us that two opposing things can be true at once, that your beliefs may be counterintuitive?
Paradox invites inquiry. If we follow that trail, we start to realise… even our most treasured quotes often carry deeper, forgotten meanings.
Here are a few that don’t mean what most people think they do, and why it matters.
“Blood is thicker than water” makes us think family first, but the original expression is “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.”
Chosen bonds can be deeper than family ties. You have signed your marriage contract and chosen your new partner.
The difference between in-laws and out-laws for many people is that outlaws are wanted.
“Curiosity killed the cat.” sounds like a warning against inquiry.
But the fuller line is “Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.”
Originally intended as encouragement to stay curious.
“Jack of all trades, master of none…” is misused to mock generalists.
But the actual ending is “…but oftentimes better than master of one.”
This praises adaptability and broadening your knowledge.
We treat quotes like gospel when they’re often just fragments.
Half-rain. Half-sun.
Misunderstood brilliance wrapped in a catchy line.
Where across the course of your day today, could you consider that what seems contradictory might be a more profound truth trying to reveal itself?
We need to stay curious not just about the quotes we share, but about the assumptions we carry.
That man who seems closed off might be hurting.
That relationship that ended may have taught you more than it took.
That belief you’ve been repeating might be outdated, inherited, or incomplete.
Sun showers teach us that contradictions can be beautiful.
That we don’t need to choose between rain or shine.
We can walk through both, soaked in light.
We’re drawn to certainty, but life deals in paradox
We want quotes to mean one thing. We want clarity. Certainty.
But just like a sun shower, many of the “truths” we repeat are half-lit.
Sometimes the most potent growth comes from those moments that confuse us.
Like rain falling under the sun.
And in those moments, if you listen closely, the paradox doesn’t whisper confusion.
It whispers: "Stay open. The truth is bigger than one perspective."
While you’re thinking about that, think about this and have a Gr8 day!
Be well.
DL
“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.”
Mark Twain - 1835 - 1910.