How I Learned To Think For Myself.

Many moons ago I was dependent on others (newspapers, parents, friends, the world) so much so that I had trouble forming my own thoughts and thinking for myself. This led to many problems in my life, whether it was being gullible and being taken advantage of by others, to not being able to make the right life decisions, or how to live my life. When I was about 22 my life and thinking process started to change. I started reading a couple of authors who wouldn’t always spell out their beliefs or opinions. But instead I felt like they laid out the information and let me(the reader) come to my own conclusion. Now for me this process has been very up and down and a road full of potholes!! And I think one of the things I have learned is how to think with my strengths and weaknesses and how to not always think like others.

So I’m gonna give a couple examples/characteristics that I have found and I use(I think mostly subconsciously). This isn’t a step a step guide, but more of a couple tips that I think I can help people.

1. Question what you don’t know:

-I’m not saying you should question everything you are told. But if you’re not sure, do a little research. It seems to me there is so information out there that even well meaning people get facts, information wrong these days.

2. Check the sources:

One of the things I have found is how easy pieces of information (especially numbers) can be misquoted or manipulated. And how quotes(what somebody said) can get taken out of context or if they jiggle a few words around, that a quote from a person can have a completely different meaning.

3. Find opposing views:

I’m a big fan of finding views that don’t fit what I think and believe. When there is an opposing view on war, politics, taxes etc, I try and listen to that view (within reason). I don’t always agree with they say, but I truly believe that if there is an opposing view that it could have some merit.

These are just of the ways I have to used to try to become better thinker. Please let me know if this article helped you or if you feel there are any changes I can make to better get my thoughts across!