Thinking and Rethinking

An easy way to care less and focus more on the issues that really matter in our life is to start assuming we are wrong. I am deadly serious about this. We are wrong most of the time. Our beliefs are often misguided or distorted. Our conclusions are usually more hypothesis than fact. We are wrong most of the time.

It is an awesome spiritual practice to ask yourself, "What if I'm wrong?" Remember, our brain does NOT like to contemplate being wrong. This form of inquiry requires it to fire up extra cylinders and kick itself into a higher gear. No self-respecting brain wants to do that! Our initial response will most likely be something along the lines of, "I couldn't possibly be wrong about this!" Again, just to be clear, yes. Yes. We could be wrong.

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."

Aristotle

We will need to challenge our mind - a powerful force that is well suited for denying anything that is inconvenient and will cause more work. When we ask this question, we may discover that indeed, we were right! That's great, but it will in no way grow or develop us. It will always be in the midst of discovering something wrong that we will get smarter, wiser and...better at playing the piano if we will humble ourselves and consider a different perspective.

What are you so sure about that you might need to rethink?

The Company You Keep

Sometimes your circle decreases in size but increases in value.

Unknown

In our community we are truly lucky ducks. We have our recovery tools and our faith perspective to challenge and inspire us to constantly grow and learn new ways of being in the world. One of the first pieces of advice given to people in need of recovery is to change people, places and things.

The founders of mutual aid societies like AA knew from experience that early in recovery it was not safe to hang out with people and in places associated with using. This organization has done a great job of giving us short phrases to help us remember wise principles. If mutual aid societies are not your jam, the book of Proverbs provides the same advice.

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.

Proverbs 1:32-33 NIV

No matter where you find support and encouragement for transformation, this simple, basic advice is always on target. Stay alert. Maybe notice what kind of friend you are to others and consider what kind of friend others are to you. Sometimes we need to make changes that will help us and others continue on the path of transformation. Are we living in support of our values? Are the people we surround ourselves with living in ways that challenge us to keep challenging ourselves through much needed self-reflection?