“Never assume the obvious is true.”  ― William Safire

What’s obvious to you?

When did it become obvious?

Is it obvious to everyone?

And, is it really obvious or only obvious to some?

Let’s look at simple example.

When did it become obvious to you that water is wet?

Follow my thinking here.

You didn’t realize that water was wet until someone told you it was. You knew that if you touched water you’d experience something, but you didn’t have a name for that experience or feeling until someone said something along the lines of if you do that you’ll get wet. And you probably didn’t question the person that told you water is wet because there was some form of authority or power in your relationship with them.

But how about now, are you still relying on what other people tell you should be obvious to you?

Obvious can be used as a limiting tool if you let it. It can be set as an imaginary line in the sand that says to you, of course you should know this so don’t question it because no one else does.

When find yourself saying or thinking something is obvious, question it for a moment, especially if you’ve never really encountered the situation before and are relying solely on the word of another. And refrain from telling others what should be obvious to them, because what’s obvious to you is the sum of your unique experiences, not theirs.

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