The Art of Knowing is Knowing What to Ignore
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A timeless wisdom from Rumi that could transform your life
What you choose to ignore shapes your peace, growth, and success. Keep scrolling to master this profound skill...
Your phone buzzes. Another notification. Another opinion. Another crisis you "need" to know about.
But what if I told you the secret to wisdom isn't consuming more information—it's getting ruthlessly good at ignoring the right things?
Rumi knew this 800 years ago: "The art of knowing is knowing what to ignore."
Why Selective Ignoring Makes You Wiser
Your brain processes 11 million bits of information per second. You're consciously aware of maybe 40.
That's not a bug—it's a feature. Your mind is already ignoring 99.99% of everything. The question is, are you ignoring the right things?
Most people let their mental filters run on autopilot. They absorb every criticism, every news cycle, and every random thought that pops up.
Smart people? They take control of their filters.
The 3-Question Filter That Changes Everything
Before you let anything into your mental space, ask:
Is it TRUE?
Filter out misinformation and assumptions that cloud judgment.
That voice saying, "I'm not good enough"? Based on what evidence? That social media post making you anxious? Is it facts or fear-mongering? That assumption about what someone meant by their text? Or are you mind-reading again?
Truth check everything. Most of our suffering comes from believing stories that aren't even real.
Is it KIND?
Disregard cruel criticism that serves no constructive purpose.
Yes, feedback can be honest AND kind. If someone's "truth" is designed to tear you down rather than build you up, it doesn't deserve your attention.
Your inner critic especially needs this filter. It might point out real issues, but if it's doing it with self-hatred instead of self-compassion, tune it out.
Bypass information that doesn't help you grow or improve.
Celebrity drama might be true and harmless, but does it move you forward? Political arguments might be well-intentioned, but do they actually change anything? Worrying about imaginary future problems might feel important, but does it help you handle real ones?
You don't need an opinion on everything. You have permission to focus.
She grew up hearing, "Music isn't realistic." "Get a safe job." "Stop wasting time."
The advice was KIND (came from love). It was TRUE (financial security matters). But was it USEFUL for who she was becoming?
Nope.
She kept the practical parts—learned business skills, saved money, built gradually. But she ignored the fear-based limitations.
Now she travels the world doing what she loves.
Like a DJ who tuned out fear to build a career, your mental "lens" colors your entire experience. Sharpen it wisely.
What noise or negativity can you start ignoring today? Your inner wisdom already knows the answer.
Try this: Filter your thoughts through truth, kindness, and usefulness for just one day.
Watch how much mental space opens up. Notice how much clearer your own voice becomes when it's not competing with everyone else's.
The loudest voices aren't always the wisest ones. Sometimes the smartest thing you can do is simply... not listen.
Your attention is your most valuable asset. Spend it like you mean it.
Every piece of information you consume shapes who you become. Every criticism you absorb affects your confidence. Every worry you entertain steals energy from your dreams.
Choose consciously. Ignore wisely.
Rumi figured this out centuries ago. Your ancestors survived by paying attention to the right things and ignoring the wrong ones.
That same wisdom lives in you. Trust it.
What's one thing you can start ignoring today?
Tag someone who needs this wisdom or share your own "ignoring to grow" story below! Sometimes the most generous thing we can do is help others discover the freedom that comes from conscious, selective ignoring.
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