Assumptions - From Tangle to Tango

I had a conversation with a new friend a few nights ago. In the middle he teased that it seemed I didn't watch much news on TV given how little I was seeming to know of what was going on in the greater L.A. area that day. Internally, I jumped to thinking "Wow! he's thinking I'm not up on stuff, I'm not intelligent, savvy or smart enough cuz I'm not up on what's happening around me!!"
Big jump to make, eh?!

But that's where my mind went in a flash. To my credit I did have the wherewithal to observe what in the heck my mind was doing, and how my emotions summarily followed my thoughts....meaning I went into defense mode. I observed that too. All of this would have been very entertaining had I just said something right then and there, but I didn't. So the negative thoughts and anxious feelings just bubbled under the surface. I took time to journal about this experience before going to bed, but I still woke up with a slight feeling of unease. What was bothering me?

I opened up a wonderful discourse by John-Roger, called Evolvement: An Action of the Heart. As I read on,  I started to see that I had tangled with some old familiar habits- Assumption and Withhold. Now this exciting duo historically have created for me numerous miscommunications and separations in my relationships, and here they were again. Reflecting on my late evening's conversation I saw that I had immediately assumed "against" myself (and judged myself) and then "withheld" my interpretation. I had judged myself "stupid" and then actually went on to do a "stupid" behavior. It's actually funny in the telling now but was rather humbling in the realization. Still, I'm ever grateful to see this pattern so early in my new-found friendship so that I can practice checking out what I hear and see and contribute to a clearer and freer communications.

One other key to self - if I catch myself making assumptions--as my facile mind is wont to do--then flip the assumption "FOR" myself, for the good. In this way any tangle can become a tango....and dancing through life is so much more fun!