To the Core

When we believe in something so strongly, we actually search for the evidence to support our core belief. When we do this, our views and perspectives are heavily filtered through a lens of whatever it is we collect to support our, many times, negative opinions. This can have us fail to recognize any contra-evidence that would contradict our strongly-held principles.

Thus, the self-serving, self-fulfilling prophecy cycle, of “I’m right….always. So there!”

Here’s a challenge: Take a core-belief of yours and search for contra-evidence. This can be through reading well-referenced resources, listening to a podcast with an opposing view that is not conspiratorial in nature, or simply talking to people in your life who like or love you but don’t necessarily agree with you.

Do your best to approach this with as open a mind as you can muster. The goal is not necessarily for you to change your mind (although that is possible). It is to open you up to the possibility that another’s view is as valid as yours – not to agree with it, but to be able to respect differing points without being antagonistic.