Ass-uming Intent

Assumptions seem to happen without almost any thought, but what happens when we are wrong? What happens when we're right? What happens when we live a life based on rocky the assumptions of others? That is what we will discuss, as we review the following clip(s):
The Antidote to Anger | Mike Goldman | TEDxGainesville (15:04)
Why you shouldn't make assumptions (6:16)
This group will be scheduled every two weeks at 4:00 pm-6:00 pm (CST) at Panera Bread, on University in Fort Worth at
Panera Bread 1700 S University Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76107.
Ideally we will be sitting at the long table on the left after entering.
The format of the group will consistently follow this pattern:

1. Settle in and start within first 10 minutes.
2. Review Ground Rules, Expectations and Weekly Topic (5-10 minutes)
3. Ice-breaker (will change every week) (10-20 minutes)
4. Main Topic of Discussion (45-60 minutes)
5. Closing Thoughts (10 minute)

The intention for "Blind Spots" is to intentionally discuss our own and society's various mental, emotional, ethical and moral boundaries and blind spots. These are by definition, emotionally charged topics, which is the very point.
The intention of this group is to learn how to better communicate and coincide with those you may not agree with or understand.
Blind Spots is intended to be a place were we can figure out how to better understand those we instinctively call the enemy.
Ground rules:

1. One person will speak at a time.
2. Critical thought and objection are both welcome, however be sure to challenge the content and not the personality.
3. When challenging another’s position, it is encouraged that you question from a place of “trying to understand the other individual’s position”, instead of intending on proving your point or theirs wrong through your questioning.

4)In the event discussion gets heated and volatile between two individuals or factions, the discussion will be halted, followed by taking the next 5 to 10 minutes, to use the remaining parts of the group to break down what just occurred and where communication broke down.

Ice Breaker

Discuss a time when you thought you wanted something, assuming you knew what it was, only to later find out it was radically different?

1) What emotions are dismissed and avoided when we make assumptions?

2) Why do assumptions feel safer than clarifying questions?
What is comforting about delusions/belief in a falser reality?

3) What is the utility of assuming negative intent? What are the limitations that come with assuming negative intent?

4) What happens to curiosity, when we make assumptions?

5) Why does assuming negative intent come so naturally to so many?

6) Fundamental attribution error, when someone else behaves in a negative way, it’s a character trait; when we believe in a negative way, it's outside circumstances.

7) Our minds interpretation naturally becomes our reality; primary emotions are immediate emotions that are felt, happy, glad, sad and afraid. Anger is often identified as a secondary emotion. If this premise is true, when we are getting upset, what primary emotion does anger evolve from?

8) When we get angry, how does this emotion pair with assumptions we’ve already made, while restricting our ability to see anything further?

9) What part of us dies or quiets when we stop assuming and intentionally ask clarifying questions?

10) Lao Tzu- When I can become willing to admit what I am, I allow the space to become what I may be.
How does our perceived identity come with countless assumptions?
How do these assumptions make it near impossible to see another reality?