Do you know just enough to be dangerous?

soph·o·mor·ic [sof-uh-mawr-ik, -mor-]  

adjective

1. of or pertaining to a sophomore  or sophomores.

2. suggestive of or resembling the traditional sophomore; intellectually pretentious, overconfident, conceited, etc. but immature: sophomoric questions.

conceited and overconfident of knowledge but poorly informed and immature <a sophomoric argument>

of, relating to, or characteristic of a sophomore<sophomoric humor>

I remember a college professor telling my class the meaning of “sophomore”. Since most of us were sophomores at the time, we were highly insulted; myself included, apparently, since I still remember it! But face it, we’ve all pushed a point with great certainty, all the while missing a main fact that would nullify our argument if only we knew it. (And if this scenario does not seem familiar to you, ummm, just ask a friend if he’s noticed you being sophomoric!)

We often close ourselves off to new opportunities and new ways of doing things because we think we already know it all. Perhaps we are better off being perpetual freshmen, open to what is before us and willing to admit we don’t know everything.  In yoga we speak of “the beginner’s mind”, reminding ourselves to step into every situation with an open mind and heart.  It doesn’t mean that the way you do something is “wrong”; but often, it doesn’t hurt to try the other guy’s way. 

Ultimately, you decide what is right for you, but if you have been able to weigh both sides of the situation and then make your decision, you have graduated sophomore year and are now a junior!