Mary’s Minute
“Change
your opinions, keep to your principles; change your leaves, keep intact your
roots.”
~ Victor Hugo
When I was very young I remember
the nickname given to a politician – I think he was a Congressman from Lake
County, Indiana, which is where I lived growing up. I don’t recall his last name, but I remember
his nickname: Flip Flop Floyd. His critics suggested that he frequently
changed his mind or his vote.
Integrity is certainly one
thing, but changing our mind is something different. If we make a commitment to behave in a
certain way that is one thing, but I am talking about changing our opinion. If we are constantly examining new data and
thinking, it only makes sense that we would change our minds or our opinions. That is the nature of human growth. It is how we improve ourselves and our
society.
I think about the mask
debate. Early in the pandemic, “experts”
were advising us that masks were not necessary, but with more data and thought,
the opinion changed. As Hugo suggests, the
scientist held true to their principles, but they changed their opinion, which
is not only acceptable, but encouraged.
We could remain stuck in old facts that were later proven wrong, or we
can embrace change of thought and improve.
We need to keep our minds
open to change, while holding true to our core values.
I honestly do not know if Floyd
was a man of value, but looking back I have to wonder if he was mislabeled. Did he change his values or just gain
knowledge that allowed him to change his mind?
All I know is that my goal is to stay true to my values, but constantly
be willing to change my opinion!
Have a great week!
Mary
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