Finding Your Own Way
Recently one of my long-time readers told me that he disagreed with something I’d written. Far from being upset by his revelation, I was delighted that he had the courage to tell me so. Obviously, my friend does his own thinking and analysis when he reads Primrose Ponderings and this is important, both for him and for me.
When I was thinking about starting a blog about happiness and well-being, one of the reasons I resisted was because I knew that I would be “wrong” sometimes. I didn’t want to have someone point out my suboptimal beliefs or conclusions. I also didn’t want someone to take my advice and it turn out to be bad advice (for them, at least).
As a cushion against these concerns, I try to stay in my lane and talk mostly about my own experience and how I view the world. If I’m only sharing what I’ve experienced myself, I can’t be wrong. An added bonus to staying in my lane is that, hopefully, my readers won’t feel that their own lane is in jeopardy.
But I also know that I am quite opinionated and that that probably comes across in my writing. If I believe something enough to write about it, I really believe it. By the time you read any given blog post, I’ve thought about that subject for awhile and have solidified my opinion about it. For that reason, I might sound like a know-it-all at times.
I do NOT know it all — and I’m aware of that! What I do know is that I will be wrong sometimes. I know that I will change my opinions and beliefs with time. There will come a time when you might even note that I’ve written something completely counter to a post that I’d written in the past.
That’s OK.
In fact, it’s more than OK. It’s necessary.
And this doesn’t apply only to me. Each of us needs to think critically and decide which of our beliefs continue to serve us and which need to be put aside in order to lead a happier and healthier life.
With regard to reading Primrose Ponderings, when you consider the ideas I present, you will find there will be times when you either solidify your own beliefs or choose to rework your current beliefs. No matter the outcome, you become a more nuanced thinker simply by engaging in the exercise.
My goal with Primrose Ponderings is not just to make you happier and healthier. Yes, these are my primary goals, but I also want you to find your own way on your life’s journey. I want you to trust yourself, trust your intuition, and learn how to think even more clearly about what is working for you and what is not.
Primrose Ponderings contains my thoughts, opinions, and current beliefs on the subject of happiness and well-being. These are subject to change as I grow and learn. I hope that my writing elicits curiosity on the part of my readers rather than blind faith.
My friend’s skepticism is healthy. We all need the skill of analyzing and assessing information that comes into our awareness. Sometimes we will decide to keep our current beliefs and sometimes we will decide to change them in part or wholesale, based on new information.
Like my dear friend, there might be times when you disagree with my perspectives on life and I welcome that. Whether you agree or disagree is not the relevant point. Taking the time to ponder these ideas is what what matters most.
It’s all part of finding your own way to increased happiness and well-being.