Definition: A type of cognitive bias that involves favouring information that confirms your previously existing beliefs or biases.

Hmmm ….

Today’s world seems to be full of them and of people firmly ensconced in protecting them. The world is fractured more than ever.

Although most people’s thoughts will automatically turn to a political bent – I do not address that topic in my Blog.

I am putting this Life Tip forward as I believe that it has permeated into our everyday life and our everyday interactions and relationships.

We can’t get away from the news anymore. We live on social media. We are constantly being told how to think, what to believe and why you are an idiot, moron, etc. etc. if we don’t follow this or that thought.

I am a Black and White, Right and Wrong Person. No apologies.

That said, we do need the Shades of Grey – but only insomuch as they are essential in helping us hone our beliefs. Without the grey scenarios, how do we challenge what we believe? How do we ensure that we have chosen correctly on important issues? What questions do we ask?

We are inundated with other people’s opinions and their biases. There is so very much information out there – real or not – that skews our opinion.

I know that I am exhausted.

There was a time when you would form your opinions by being introduced to an idea or thought, researching it, speaking with others (personally) and debating. Dinner conversations would have various people putting forward their opinions with the rest of the table listening and then adding theirs.

By the end of the conversation, no-one’s was the same as it was when they first sat down.

Well-thought-out points, spirited disagreement, (sometimes begrudging) concessions – all combined to allow everyone to grow and evolve.

Sometimes your original opinion was strengthened. Sometimes it was tempered. Sometimes it was changed entirely.

This is How We Rolled.

Now, however, I am finding that it is difficult to have that kind of conversation with most people.

(I am lucky enough to have friends that I disagree with and with whom I Can disagree and still be friends ~ respect and humour – I am thankful.)

In most other instances, people are entrenched in their views. In most of those cases, they cannot defend those views with thoughtful discourse. Someone or something or some source has convinced them that this is the way to go and they have not questioned it – they have embraced it as Theirs.

They also do not allow for anyone to question it.

They surround themselves with people of the same opinion and ilk.

They refuse to research, listen to or entertain any contradictory thought – they consciously block that out. They aggressively block that out.

Their pride does not allow them to admit that their original decision may now be wrong or a mistake as circumstances have changed and that new information has now come to light.

Despite all that, they are not willing to step up and grow by evolving and changing with new circumstances.

They are intransigent and it is Sad.

~~~

Life Tip:

Open your mind.

Ask questions.

Be willing to learn.

Be willing to adapt and adjust – all things change.

Let go of your pride.

Be a person that knows that the most intelligent person is the one who needs to learn the most and is open to growing.

Be wrong sometimes and step up when you are.

Life is not linear. The best worlds and lives are multidimensional.

Be proud if you can be that.

I am certainly not the poster-child but I strive to be that person.