There is a meaningful distinction between inquiry and assumption in personal relationships. Those connections that remain inquiry based- where each person asks the other about their intentions, motivations, and actions- have a tendency to last far longer than those based on assumption. When we can allow ourselves to remain genuinely curious about why someone behaved as they did, we keep the gate between our hearts open. We co-create an ongoing opportunity to grow individually and together. When we rely on assumptions as our interpretive structure- particularly those lodged in our own projections and limiting beliefs- we are far more likely to close the door to the connection and miss the opportunity for growth. The simple truth is that there are often countless possibilties for why someone behaved as they did. And the assumption that we make is often misguided. Better we inquire- wherever possible- so that the connection has an opportunity to grow in awareness and understanding. Being curious about those that matter to us, keeps the fires of relatedness alight. - Jeff Brown