Sometimes the most important fact is why a particular fact was shown to you.

Information arrives through a channel, and the channel has intentions. Why this, why now, why to you: the answers often carry more meaning than the content. A leaked document, a helpful warning, a sudden piece of praise, all of these mean something different depending on who benefits from your knowing. Content can be perfectly accurate and still be a move in someone’s game.

When something lands in your lap at a convenient or inconvenient moment, ask who wanted you to have it and what they expect you to do next. Take the fact seriously regardless. But choose your response to the whole situation, not just to the piece of it you were handed.