October 25th | 2026
Have you ever found yourself thinking, “They should have known”?
Perhaps you expected someone to understand what you needed without having to explain it. Or you interpreted a look, a brief response, or an unanswered message—and before long, you had a whole story about what it meant.
But had you asked?
In this week’s Sunday for the Soul, Rev. Cynthia Alice Anderson explores the third of The Four Agreements: Don’t Make Assumptions. Recorded at Unity of Daytona Beach on October 25, 2026, this message invites us to notice where we may be treating our interpretations as facts.
When a Story Becomes a Fact
An assumption can feel convincing, especially when it touches something tender within us. We may believe we know why someone acted a certain way or what they think of us. Yet our certainty doesn’t mean we have the whole picture.
Other people bring their own experiences, expectations, and perspectives to every interaction. When we forget that, misunderstandings can grow—even between people who love each other.
Recognizing an assumption gives us an opportunity to pause and ask: What do I actually know, and what have I filled in for myself?
The Courage to Ask
Asking for clarification can feel vulnerable. So can expressing a need we hoped someone would recognize on their own.
But honest questions create room for understanding. Instead of expecting another person to read our minds, we can practice saying what we mean and asking what they mean.
“What did you mean by that?”
“Here’s what I need. Can we talk about it?”
These simple conversations can help us move beyond the stories we’ve been carrying and meet each other with greater openness.
Making Room for Each Other
This practice also invites us to examine our expectations. Can we love someone without assuming they should think, respond, or grow exactly as we do? Can we allow them to be themselves without making it our job to change them?
There is room for deeper connection when we become curious about another person’s experience.
Like any spiritual practice, this takes repetition. We will still catch ourselves guessing, interpreting, and jumping ahead. Each time we notice, we have another opportunity to ask, listen, and begin again.
A Practice for This Week
Think of a relationship or situation where you feel certain you know what someone else is thinking.
Ask yourself:
What have I assumed?
What question could help me understand?
Is there a need I haven’t clearly expressed?
Before you believe the story, ask the question.
Watch or listen to Stop Making Assumptions: Ask, Don’t Guess | Sunday for the Soul 60 and explore how this agreement can bring greater clarity and compassion to your relationships.
