Knowing the Unknown

Sitting in the hotel lobby, we watched as other travelers checked in.  We were joining a tour group the next day for an 8-day trip through several Arizona and Utah national parks.  We knew that 42 people were signed up for the trip.

Watching people and their bags, we made comments to one another:  "I bet they are on our tour." and "They look like tour people."  Our assumptions were based on age and luggage:  we assumed this would be an older group and we were supposed to have only one checked bag and one carry-on bag.

What stories do we create about what we see?
(Photo:  hotel lobby - Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas,
Larry Gardepie)

In reality, we only knew how many people had signed up for the tour and the stated baggage allotment.  The age group was an assumption based on similar pre-COVID tours, and we assumed that people would follow the baggage requirements.  We had arrived one day early to explore Scottsdale.  Our tour group didn't need to check in until the next afternoon, and we were leaving the morning after check-in.

Later in the day we were sitting in the lobby again, and we noticed a tour manager welcoming some of these same people, giving instructions, and providing additional information.  We asked this tour guide what was happening, and we found out that a separate tour (14-days) was checking in and would be leaving the day before us.

Where do we focus?
(Photo:  Hoodoos at Bryce Canyon, Larry Gardepie)

We were focused on our 8-day tour, so our observations, assumptions, and conclusions were based on what we knew.  What was unknown to us earlier:  several tours were leaving from this hotel over the next few days!

I wonder how often this happens to us:

• We focus on what we know;
  
• We make assumptions and conclusions based on these known facts; and
  
• We don't know other information that might change the outcome?

I also wonder if we are we willing to withhold judgment, check out our assumptions, and the stories we have created?

What is hidden from what we say to others?
(Photo:  Pulpit Rock, Zion National Park, Larry Gardepie)

 As we enter this new week, may we learn to:

• Hold Space within ourselves that other possibilities exist;
• Ask Questions to gather more information; and,
  
• Seek to Understand what we do not know.
  

 

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

(click on link for website)