Assumptions Avenue

In the quaint town of Willowbrook, nestled amidst rolling hills and lush greenery, there lived a man named Samuel. Samuel was known for his sharp wit and quick thinking, but he tended to assume things without verifying them, often leading to unforeseen consequences.

One sunny afternoon, Samuel strolled through

the town square, where he encountered Mrs. Jenkins, the local baker. She was bustling about, setting up her stall for the day.

“Good morning, Mrs. Jenkins! How are you today?” Samuel greeted her with a warm smile.

Mrs. Jenkins looked up from arranging her bread loaves and replied, “Oh, good morning, Samuel! I’m doing quite well, thank you. Just getting ready for the lunch rush. How can I help you?”

Samuel glanced at the display of pastries and recalled that Mrs. Jenkins always had his favorite apple turnovers freshly baked by this time of day. Assuming they were ready, he eagerly asked, “Could I have a dozen of your delicious apple turnovers, please?”

Mrs. Jenkins paused, a furrow forming on her brow. “I’m sorry, Samuel, but I haven’t made any apple turnovers today. I’m focusing on my savory pies instead.”

Embarrassed by his assumption, Samuel chuckled nervously. “Oh, my apologies, Mrs. Jenkins. I just assumed you’d have them ready like you usually do. No worries, I’ll take a few of those savory pies instead.”

As Samuel walked away with his pies, he couldn’t help but reflect on how his assumption had caused a minor hiccup in his day. But this was not the first time his presumptions had led to such blunders.

Later that evening, Samuel attended a neighborhood gathering at the town hall. The air was filled with laughter and chatter as residents mingled, catching up on each other’s lives. Samuel spotted Emily, a quiet woman who lived on the outskirts of town, sitting alone by the refreshment table. Curious about her reserved nature, Samuel approached her with a friendly smile.

“Hello, Emily! It’s lovely to see you here. How are you doing?” Samuel asked, his tone filled with genuine interest.

Emily returned his smile, though there was a hint of apprehension in her eyes. “I’m doing fine, thank you,” she replied softly, stirring her cup of tea.

Noticing that Emily was sitting alone, Samuel assumed she must be feeling lonely or out of place at the gathering. Hoping to include her in the conversation, he continued, “Would you like to join us over by the fireplace? It’s much cozier over there.”

Emily hesitated for a moment before politely declining, “No, thank you, Samuel. I’m quite comfortable here.”

Unaware of the impact his assumption had on Emily, Samuel persisted, “Are you sure? It can get a bit chilly sitting by yourself. We’d love to have you join us.”

Emily’s smile faltered slightly as she replied, “I appreciate your kindness, but I’m truly fine here. I enjoy some solitude now and then.”

Unwilling to accept her response, Samuel pressed further, “But don’t you want to socialize and meet new people? It’s good for you to step out of your comfort zone once in a while.”

At this point, Emily’s demeanor shifted from polite discomfort to visible irritation. She took a deep breath before responding, her voice tinged with frustration, “Samuel, I understand your intentions are good, but I came here tonight to enjoy a quiet moment away from the pressures of socializing. I’m not lonely, nor am I in need of rescuing. Please respect my choice to be here on my terms.”

Samuel’s face flushed with embarrassment as he realized the impact of his assumptions on Emily. He had inadvertently invaded her personal space and made her feel uncomfortable by projecting his expectations onto her. As Emily excused herself from the conversation, Samuel was left feeling remorseful for his insensitivity.

Reflecting on the incidents of the day in silence at the Sundown, Samuel realized the importance of recognizing and challenging his assumptions, especially when it came to respecting others’ boundaries and choices. He vowed to be more mindful of how his words and actions could impact those around him, striving to cultivate empathy and understanding in his interactions.

Samuel sat at his desk, pondering the recurring pattern of his assumptive behavior. He realized that it often stemmed from a lack of communication or verification, and it had the potential to create misunderstandings and conflicts in both personal and professional relationships.

Determined to address this flaw, Samuel decided to create a self-analysis quiz to gauge his tendency towards assumption and hopefully cultivate a more mindful approach to his interactions.

The Assumption Gradient Self-Analysis Quiz:

1. Do you often make decisions based on incomplete information?
2. Are you quick to jump to conclusions without considering alternative perspectives?
3. Do you find yourself assuming the thoughts or intentions of others without verifying them?
4. Have your assumptions ever led to misunderstandings or conflicts in your relationships?
5. Do you tend to rely on stereotypes or generalizations when forming opinions about people or situations?
6. Are you open to seeking clarification or asking questions when uncertain about something?
7. Have you ever regretted a decision because it was based on false assumptions?
8. Do you recognize the importance of communication and verification in preventing misunderstandings?
9. Are you willing to challenge your assumptions and consider different viewpoints?
10. Do you actively strive to cultivate a more mindful and aware approach to your interactions?

Samuel reflected on each question, recognizing his tendency towards assumption in many aspects of his life. He realized that understanding and addressing this behavior was critically important not only for his personal growth but also for fostering healthier and more meaningful relationships with others.

By becoming more aware of his assumptive tendencies and actively seeking to change them, Samuel hoped to navigate through life with greater clarity and understanding, one mindful step at a time.

Dr. Sowmya Suryanarayana is a Physician and a life skill coach. She insists that each one of us has to self-reflect on this assumption behavior now and then so we are not long lost in the Assumptions Avenue. Connect With Dr.Sowmya