“I had nothing to offer anybody except my own confusion.” – Jack Kerouac
This is a quote taken from Jack Kerouac’s book ‘On the Road,’ and it’s one i see floating around from time to time. It seems to strike a chord with many people. And why shouldn’t it? Most of us are stumbling through this forest of a life either trying to find meaning, or create our own. There’s those still searching. There’s those that have pitched tents, called the forest home. Then, there are those that climb on to a precipice and share their moments of perceived enlightenment. A crowd gathers. And why shouldn’t it? The idea of darkness suddenly becomes a lot easier to bear once you picture a hand holding yours, gently leading you forward, doesn’t it? Never mind the fact that you still don’t know where you’re headed. Just the comfort is reason enough to follow. Isn’t it?
I don’t think so. Nor do I think confusion is a bad thing. Jack Kerouac’s words are brimming with a negative connotation, but they shouldn’t. I’m doubtful of those that believe they have everything figured out, but i’m also skeptical of those that believe that they have nothing to offer simply because they’re confused. You just have to know how to utilize your confusion, and make it work for you. Because, do you know what confusion brings about? Questions. Discussion. Perspectives. Sometimes, answers. Sometimes, it’s just more questions.
Whatever the case, It’s okay to be confused. It’s okay to admit it. Don’t pretend. Tell me you don’t know. I’ll tell you I don’t, either. By the end though, we’ll both know something we didn’t before.
So come, have a cup of coffee with me and we’ll talk about our confusion. We’ll bond while you decide which pastry to get. Don’t – not even for a second – think that you have nothing to offer. But don’t worry, we’ll discuss it later.
Maze of Musings 