Think For Yourself

Thinking for yourself is a skill everyone can utilize in their own lives. It enables us to make the best choices for ourselves and is something we often need to do, so we can choose to do what's right.

Think for Yourself

As a teacher, I challenged students with the following statement: “If you believe everything I say, you may be an idiot.” Please, the goal of that statement is not to call anyone an idiot, it’s just to raise awareness that we need to focus on what we believe and stand for. Our environment and socialization can sometimes make it challenging for us to form our own thoughts and opinions. Especially with today’s internet and social media, we can be easily persuaded to conform to social norms or what's expected from us. We shouldn’t always believe everything everyone says.

As we become better at thinking for ourselves, it may put us in situations of questioning, challenging and disagreeing with others. This can be a very positive thing as long as we can disagree in an agreeable way. We must approach questioning others with respect and basic social understanding that they have different values, backgrounds and point of views. If in the end we agree to disagree, then we do not need to hate one another. These skills are essential for creating lasting relationships and a strong society.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Romans 12:2

Your Challenge

Challenge yourself to ‘Think for Yourself’ so you can choose to do what is right in your own life. When challenging or disagreeing with someone, choose to disagree in an agreeable way.

Respectfully,
Al Kerns & the Ed Thomas Family Foundation

This post is written by Al Kerns, a long-time friend of Ed Thomas and a team member with the Ed Thomas Family Foundation. Al coached with Ed for 30+ years at Aplington-Parkersburg. If you'd like to have messages like this sent to your email, consider subscribing to our newsletter here.