Consider this

Have you ever thought of the word consider?

The word means to reflect upon, to think carefully, to regard something. It means to muse upon an idea, to evaluate a suggestion or a claim. We consider decisions we need to make. We consider qualities in ourselves and in others. We consider ideas that make or break us. We take things into consideration when we look at all sides.

Sometimes though, we don’t seem to use that word enough.

I know there are times when I don’t seem to consider every aspect when I make a decision. I know I often look at qualities others may have and are instantly repelled and think sometimes I am better than others, even though I know I am not. I know I don’t look at all sides of a story before coming to my own conclusion. But I am only human. I am still learning to be considerate of others. I often do not see every side to a story, even as I write my own.

I know I can be unfair to others and often try these days not to, but it happens. I often jump to conclusions without considering all of the options or information.

In my imagination, I end up in the Island of Conclusions, which is one of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite books.

“But how did we get here?” asked Milo, who was still a bit puzzled by being there at all.

“You jumped, of course,” explained Canby. “That’s the way most everyone gets here. It’s really quite simple: every time you decide something without having a good reason, you jump to Conclusions whether you like it or not. It’s such an easy trip to make that I’ve been here hundreds of times.”

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Like Milo, I must then swim through the Sea of Knowledge to continue on my journey. I must find the error of my ways. I only hope I also get soaked (figuratively of course) by wisdom while doing it.

But I can’t do this journey alone.

Milo, after all, had the Humbug and Tock on his travels through the Kingdom of Wisdom to the Lands Beyond to save Rhyme and Reason. (Tangent here – if you have NEVER read this book, I recommend it!)

In my own Portals Series, even the Portal Seeker, Solilune of Delphian, has others who help him on his journey, finding the answers. Even though he continues to hold the magic of wisdom as his truest magic and love as his greatest attribute, he still needs other to help him consider his options and opinions.

I need others to challenge my thinking sometimes. I need others who will help me consider the ramifications of my actions and my decisions. I need others who will justly call me out when I am acting unfairly. I need friends to help me not jump to the Island of Conclusions.

Just as I need to be all of that for others.

After all, no person is an island.

Which leads me to a quote from my favorite band:

You keep walking inland, where no man is an island. It’s where you’re supposed to be…… When the darkness hits the light, We can stand against the tides, I’m always standing next to you.

~ Jars of Clay “Inland”

So consider this…. The next time someone asks you to take something into consideration, muse about it. Think on it. Consider it, looking at it from all sides. Try to consider the rest of the story. Ask questions if you need to. Don;t fall into the trap of conclusions, for the swim back can be tiring.

While you are at it, consider being one who helps. Be the one who continues to encourage others to walk inland. Be the one who stands by the side of another fighting the darkness of poor decisions and having to swim the Sea of Knowledge trying to find the answers and get away from their own faulty conclusions. Consider this as you continue to write your own stories and find your own magic.

I know I will consider it. Consider it done.

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