They say that change is the one constant in the universe. I think life is all about change.
Most people are open to change of one kind or another, but don’t stop and give themselves the opportunity to do so. It’s so much easier, it seems, to do what we’ve always done and think how we’ve always thought.
I think it is absolutely crucial for everyone to take a moment every now and again and review what they believe or what truths they are clinging to and see if they are still true or still hold up. This is not a sign of uncertainty or doubt, but actually the path to great wisdom. “I claim to be a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow mortal. I own, however, that I have humility enough to confess my errors and to retrace my steps.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Sometimes we get ‘set in our ways’ or we have certain prejudices established in our thoughts and beliefs. Changing our mind, disagreeing with what we’ve thought before, becomes important in critical thinking when we have clung to out-moded or out-dated ideas, philosophies, laws, etc. which don’t stand up to the current situation.
Examples abound in history, from ancient views about slavery all the way to our current “controversies” over LGBT rights. Those who are on the right side of history are almost always those who can show compassion, understanding and tolerance for others’ beliefs, views, politics, religion, etc. Tolerance and compassion don’t have to equate to agreement. No one ever said we all had to agree or even that we should. But we should be able to get along.
For myself, I have fairly recently had a major upheaval in my life which caused me to re-evaluate almost every belief and accepted “truth” I had. I was involved in Scientology for decades and the philosophy had very strict beliefs about psychiatry, sex, spirituality and all sorts of things. Scientology claims to be a practice that “brings you total spiritual freedom.” I found it to be one of the most suffocating experiences I’ve ever had, full of closed minded people who were willfully ignorant of any other ideas beyond what Scientology’s founder offered.
Coming out of that, the world was a brand new place full of fresh and new ideas. And I realized that the world has always been that way. Every day, new ideas are being forwarded across all media channels, through word of mouth, etc. The quality of our individual lives and the whole of civilization depend entirely upon how we deal with those ideas. To ignore them or write them off just because they conflict with our old dyed-in-the-wool ideas could truly be folly. 
Critical thinking enters in this way: just because someone puts out an idea doesn’t mean it’s true. We have to evaluate the idea, see if it’s logical and rational and then decide if it warrants further action on our part, or even our attention. If we find that it is rational, it is important that we make room in our thinking for the new ideas by clearing out some of the old false ones.
It can be hard for people to realize that they are being prejudicial or irrational. One has to work to remind oneself to look with fresh eyes on issues, people or subjects which one takes for granted. Every once in a while, stop and take stock of your beliefs, who you are following, what you are telling your kids. Review what your favorite politicians are actually saying now and what they are actually doing now, not what they said or did a few years ago. Maybe when you went to John Smith University, it really did offer the best education at the best price, but that doesn’t mean it will do that 20 years later for your kids. No matter what subject or field, take the time to look and see what the situation is in the present.
Stay sharp and stay current. And let’s agree that disagreeing with ourselves sometimes is not such a bad idea.
Excerpt from a book project close to completion
SIMPLE ANSWERS TO UNIVERSAL QUESTIONS
The mindset factor
Whatever our questions and answers about the universe, existence or the meaning of life; they will invariably reflect the prevailing mindset – the bias – of the scientist, philosopher or mystic asking and answering the question. The idea that our observations may be subjected to a hidden personal frame of reference or paradigm is generally not factored into our quest for answers.
It may be argued that what distinguishes the scientific approach from all the rest is that by “proving” its observations and conclusions science eliminates mindset bias. However, the flaws in this assumption become glaringly obvious once the mindset factor is better understood.
• Mindset determines how we look at our world and consequently how we see it. How we see our world determines how we experience it which in turn determines our responses and behavior.
• Whatever it is we are looking at it is possible to change our perspective and see it differently, opening the door to a different reality – different experiences and consequently different responses.
The premise here is that the value and validity of questions and answers can not necessarily be determined by the “proof” on which they are based. The real value and validity of answers depend on the extent to which they put us in touch with ever changing circumstances – the extent to which they are relevant in an ever changing world. This is what a functional mindset is – a mindset which keeps us in touch in a world in which today’s “truth” will not be tomorrow’s truth. Choices and decisions emanating from a functional mindset are optimum. A dysfunctional mindset puts us out of touch; it is inclined to hold onto truths which have passed their use by date. Decisions emanating from a dysfunctional mindset tend to result in “bad” choices. .
Mastering mindset; understanding its role in determining our orientation and realizing its function as the shaper of the “reality” we perceive and experience, is the key to moving from a worm’s eye view of existence to a bird’s eye view. It is the key to awakening the wizard and sage present in all of us.
The ability to change our minds at will is probably the most empowering life skill anyone can acquire.
Changing our mind changes our orientation – our perspective, and consequently also our truth and life experience. Even a minor shift in mindset can change how we see and consequently how we experience life. Our sense of self can be changed from that of a victim of circumstances to an empowered participant in the game of life by a simple shift in perspective. A close look at the Anatomy of Mindset – the role of mindset in shaping our reality – leaves one in little doubt that achieving mastery over mindset – mastery over perceptions – the ability to change one’s mind at will, must qualify as the most empowering life skill.
Joe van Staden.