Rethinking is not always easy - in fact, can be extremely difficult. Often, we are prompted to rethink a certain subject because we are frustrated, conflicted, suspicious, misled, or lied to. At other times rethink just because we’re just downright curious.
It’s an option to rethink any subject. Motivated by our heads and hearts, we should allow ourselves the time to pause and ponder.
It is our human nature to want structured parameters, beliefs that make us feel comfortable and secure. Every waking moment we absorb information presented to us; it is a nonstop process. Consciously or unconsciously we make assessments and evaluate whether or not the information is useful, true or false. Let’s understand simple examples of conscious or unconscious thinking:
The word “organic” is written on a sign hanging above the vegetable table at the farmer’s market. You believe what the sign indicates and trust that the food is healthy to eat. You understand the information presented, you evaluate it, and you choose to believe the words on the sign – making a conscious choice.
You wake up in the morning and believe that you are still loved by your family as much as when you went to sleep. We do this without thinking - the evaluation is unconscious.
Let’s say you are interested in treating a health condition. Your doctor recommends a common prescription drug that you are familiar with, as you expected. Then you watch a documentary on safer and more effective treatment options. You rethink the topic because you are curious.
We rethink what we once considered true as we take in new information, prompted by active curiosity or when our world-view has been disrupted or challenged. Rethinking because we’re curious is much easier. We don’t have “experiential learning” or deep emotional investment in these areas.
Paradigms are constantly changing with new discoveries in the outside world. Just as many changes should be taking place within the world inside us.
So, when should we rethink? Let’s jump down to the largest motivating factor that gets us to rethink and react. The number one motivating factor is deceit. That is to say, you once held something to be true, but new information has been presented or discovered that leads you to believe it is untrue. When we feel that we have been deceived, either by society, our mate, our family or ourselves, enormous energy wells up inside us and we’re determined to get to the bottom of it. Often when that moment occurs the average person does not rethink the subject, but rather reacts emotionally.
This leads me to believe that we have to be bold and brave to rethink what we once held as “truth”, and be ready to change our minds and possibly our hearts. In my personal experience as an American citizen, I have been told that I have freedom of speech and freedom to think independently. I also have been told that God is watching everything I do, that my doctor really knows best, and that our government is making decisions for the good of all. Experientially my actions have produced contradictory results.
My life is filled with all sorts of examples where new information disrupted my perspective. That is why I am here encouraging all of us to think and rethink!
To expand our unconscious parameters and challenge our own belief systems can be tough at first. We have to be bold and brave and so much more! In reality, any kind of rethinking takes motivation and critical thinking. Training yourself to rethink is a process. Let’s do it together - it will make for a better world!
~ Sandra