Is Blissful Ignorance Better?

Let me begin by wishing you a very Happy 4^th of July! As much as I love this holiday (I’m baking blueberry muffins right now to start the day off), I wanted to write about something a little different today. Still, I hope that today will be a very happy one—be sure to celebrate your freedom! Even in the 21^st century, freedom can be hard to come by in other countries and it is truly something to be thankful for.But as I was trying to fall asleep last night, wishing that I knew a little bit less about some things and people in my life, I thought, “Sometimes I miss the days of blissful ignorance.” I think there’s a fine line when I say that term, “blissful ignorance” though. While I believe it’s essential that we educate ourselves as much as possible about the happenings of this world—what wars we may be in, the situation with global warming, and foreign genocide just to name a few—I think there are some personal circumstances where blissful ignorance may be better.Better, but not always possible. I have such an inquisitive nature, I can hardly let myself remain ignorant, even if I want to. I often find myself searching for the truth even when I know that the truth will hurt me. Why do I do it? Would I be happier turning the other cheek to the darker sides of life or would I be happy knowing the truth? It’s unsettling either way.Have you been in a situation like this before?Ultimately it’s about finding peace. And unfortunately for me, maybe it’s about caring a little less. Sometimes I care so deeply about someone or something that it just hurts me more when that care is rejected. And so maybe this is a thought:Maybe sometimes people don’t want to be cared for on your terms. They just want to be left alone.It’s sad to me but I’m starting to think it’s a reality. So maybe if I care a little less, I won’t get hurt so much and then I can start to be happy. No situation is perfect but I think we can still find happiness in the imperfection.I hope you’ll excuse my somewhat less than happy thoughts on this happy Fourth of July but sometimes you need to say what’s on your mind. I didn’t feel like being generic today, I felt like saying it how I see it.How do you see it?Keep shining,The Sunny Girl, Lauren Cook