Popular ideas are often shared misconceptions.
Please discuss. How does this play out in life?
I’ll start us out. Ideas trend and spread across our society into more widespread adoption. When we hear a concept repeated often enough, we may accept it as truth. We’re susceptible to the beliefs of others, particularly those with broad acceptance. It’s easy for us to follow herd mentality.
Social media and news sources present us with representations of reality that may or may not be accurate. Stories can go viral without a factual basis. We can find it simple to accept something as true if it appears to confirm beliefs we already hold or elicits a strong emotions response in us. We’re far too readily manipulated by the agendas of others.
With the volume of stories and information available to us, it can be difficult to fact check all we see and hear. We’re likely to identify what we feel are trusted sources and simply accept what they tell us. We are more apt to adopt a ready made interpretation of reality than to fine tune our own perceptions.
Today’s message reminds me of the importance of being my own authority. I own the responsibility to clarify my beliefs, to remove preconception and emotional triggers from my thought processes. If I find myself immediately resonating strongly for or against another’s opinion, I may wish to ask myself why. Finding my own truth frees me to make decisions and live my life in an honest and healthy way.
How about you? How do you decide what to believe?