Do you think for yourself or let others think for you?

The truth isn’t always so obvious.

We’ve got different news channels.

Different religions.

Scientific theories.

All sorts of options for our beliefs.

Of course, the ones to which you subscribe are the correct ones.

All others are wrong.

Those who believe them are stupid.

They just don’t get it.

If only they could see things the way you do.

It’s so easy to feel this way.

We assume that we’ve got it all figured out.

Yet, how much of what we think and believe did we actually “figure out”?

Based on our own assessment of all the available information?

Likely, not that much.

We probably simply accepted most of it as we were told.

By members of our team.

Family members.

Politicians.

News anchors.

Spiritual figures.

Whoever we see as leaders of our respective tribes.

Because, if they’re wrong about one thing, they might be wrong about others.

And if that’s the case, what else might they - and we - be wrong about?

Is our whole world, then, a lie?

This is why we often outsource thought.

It absolves us of responsibility.

The challenge of deciding for ourselves.

Possibly being wrong.

Our identity called into question.

When we do this, though, we give up one of our only true freedoms.

The freedom to think for ourselves.

Putting ourselves at the whim of whoever we blindly follow.

Do you ask, "is this true?"

Do you explore, "how do I know this is true?"

Do you consider, "is it possible there's more to this?"

Or do you take things at face value?

Unquestioningly accepting what you're told?

Do you think for yourself or let others think for you?

What ideas or truths have you always accepted?

What voices most influence your perspectives?

In what ways might they be missing the mark?

What voices most often disagree with your own?

In what ways might they offer value?

Must you choose one or the other?

Might there be another option?

A point of view unique to you and you alone?

To make up your own mind is one of your most powerful tools.

Use it.

Practice it.

Cherish it.

You’ve got this.