Sharing Knowledge...

For A Life Made By Hand and Creative Catalyst #96

Asking the question: "What are the most important lessons you've learned in life?"   

My answer:  To share whatever knowledge I have freely, whenever it is needed.  

I think everyone knows that it's important to share knowledge.  I don't think that very many people have spent much time if any, thinking about why it is so important, and just how supremely important it really is.  Everything we are in the functioning world is a result of shared knowledge.  Think for a minute about what it would mean if no knowledge was shared.  Animals share knowledge.  Even seeds contain information and memory, and this is knowledge for a growing plant.  Everything "knows" because something that came before it "knew".  When we refuse to share our knowledge, when we share knowledge only if we're paid to share, and when we hold back some of that knowledge as proprietary, we go against nature, against who we are, and who we are meant to be.

What's In It For Me?

It's a shame people feel they have to ask that question.  Nevetheless, there is a positive answer:  You get back more than you give.  Nature makes sure of that.  In fact, you get so much back, it's safe to say that if you want an insurance policy that never stops paying dividends, then you've bought one the minute you've made it part of your character to share your knowledge, no excuses, no holds barred!

Information vs Knowledge:

Not every piece of information is knowledge, and to off-set the risk of being misunderstood I must clarify that there are many pieces of information that are optional.  Optional, meaning that they are helpful only because they are desired, as opposed to being necessary.  We tend to think of so many things as necessary, that it might be good to get a clearer handle on the difference.  Knowledge is a type of information that is necessary for the recipient to function.  And it is knowledge, not just any information, that must be shared freely and completely when needed.

Learning That It Doesn't Hurt:

Basically, after that very first "ouch" we receive as infants, to greater and lesser degrees it remains difficult for us to take unfamiliar steps.  We're taught to share, but we're also bombarded with advertisements, business decisions, and sound bites that either directly or subliminally teach us that we are fools to give anything away for free.  There's a big difference between giving away your your key ingredient, or your passwords, and imparting knowledge.

What About Teaching?  

A good portion of my life is spent teaching, so this question really speaks to me.  Here's what I've learned:  If you teach for a living, you can charge for your class time (or accept a paycheck), but your knowledge must be free.  What?  Think about it.  The most successful teachers confidently share their knowledge freely and completely, knowing that it is specifically this sharing that will make people flock to them.  They answer questions and don't hold back.  The payment they accept is for the other things that go along with teaching, the time, the preparation, the materials, etc., because while they might not come back to the classroom if their paycheck was withheld, good teachers -- good people -- will continue to share their knowledge.  Remember the difference?  You can expect people to pay you for imparting certain useful information, but never charge for your knowledge.  It must be given away.  

It's one of the most valuable lesson I've learned in life.  Successful teachers share knowledge completely, freely and liberally.  In addition, they learn to impart information clearly and easily, and share this delivery with individuals or a class.  The knowledge is free.  Any additional information may or may not require a fee.  Once I learned what this meant and that it was true, through experience I also discovered that it is safe in practice.  In fact, safe doesn't accurately describe it.  It's more than safe.  It's the recipe for success in everything life has to offer, and it's completely natural to an authentically lived life.

But If I Give Away My Knowledge, Won't I Lose My Identity?

Quite the contrary.  Your knowledge is simply that part of your identity that by nature is meant to be shared.  In fact, a lot like love, it must be given in order to be multiplied.

Now I'm off to:

Spend some time with my family

Work on a couple of pieces I'm in the middle of, then

Read until I fall asleep!  

Have a great day, Everyone!

Comments

[kelly]

Barbara, this is why I love you!

Amen, sister friend!

[Janny]

Beautiful work and what a great post!

[Terri @ Pringle Hill]

Great post, Barbara! From personal experience, I've found that I always seem to receive so much more than what I give. Hugs, Terri

[wendela]

wow Barbara, your work is gorgeous!!! great job!

[Faye]

Wonderful, Barbara, not only the art piece you've made, but also what you've written.

[Trudie]

Your work is really wonderful.
Love this!!!

[Lori Saul]

Brilliant post - so enjoy your thoughtful writing and amazing art. Feeling inspired by your sharing!

[Diann]

Barbara, I always enjoying visiting your blog and seeing your ART...love to read your posts too! Diann

[Rosie]

Amen... Had I thought about it, 'tis exactly what I would've said myself! I love that you can logically and wisely express what I am thinking. Had you not 'imparted freely of your knowledge', I'd never have started painting! So, thank you for being, simply, you! xoxoxo

[Victoria Robison]

Wow! I have been a high school art instructor for 20 years. It is great to hear what I have always believed that knowledge should be shared. Thanks for such an informative and inspirational post.

[Nancy B]

What a beautiful post! Both the illustration and the words!