(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value, or attitude.)


Ah, the comfort of certitude. It is a primary juice feeding the ego. It feels comforting, fortifying even, but creates an ever-shrinking view of what is possible. Why is that?

The ego (an essential part of the human design; neither good nor bad) has no substance of its own. An empty vessel that must look outside itself to define itself. (Well documented; not an opinion.) Since it knows that anything outside itself can be removed at any instant, the ego lives in fear.

That fear drives the ego to seek certainty by acquiring more data to justify its self-image.

The world (Life) is much more complex than any human mind can grasp. Also well documented. So, the search for certainty will always lead to… more searches for certainty! Fear drives the search.

Curiosity (also a part of human design) is the opposite. It draws us to expand into a greater awareness of our world and our journey through it. Curiosity knows we do not know and is empowered by that! Picture a small child in a sandbox. They play joyfully, making ‘impossible’ creations and exploring their expanding world with curiosity.

The ancient wisdom is, “He who thinks he knows, does not know, while he who knows he does not know, knows.”

Curiosity draws and expands; Certitude drives and encloses.


Coaching point: What are you Curious about?


Copyright 2026 Steve Straus. All rights reserved.