Take What You Need

This morning, I discovered someone new to me. He’s well-known for his activism and thoughts about how humans think and operate. Today was my first time hearing his words. Listening to his interviews and teachings felt inspiring. His words spoke to me, and my morning slowed down in a way that was really lovely.

But as I listened more, I came across ideas I didn’t agree with. He shared thoughts that didn’t sit right with me. I’ll admit, he’s a powerful speaker, and it was tempting to go along with it just to keep enjoying the inspiration. That’s when I realized I’d be falling into a harmful mindset—looking for one person to follow. A person to show me the way, so I wouldn’t have to figure it out myself. It’s comforting to think someone out there has all the answers, but that’s a dangerous mindset.

What I used to do in moments like this was stop listening to the person altogether. If they were wrong about one thing, I’d disregard them completely. But I’ve learned that no one has everything I need. Instead, I take what I like and leave the rest.

It’s a lot of weight to put on one person to have every answer to every question. I don’t need to agree with someone 100% of the time to let their ideas inspire me. Now, I try to listen critically and let diverse thoughts light up my own thinking without taking over my mind.

The beauty of hearing other people’s ideas isn’t about finding someone to follow—it’s about challenging my own thoughts and staying connected to the work of thinking for myself.

ACTION: The next time you’re confronted with someone you disagree with, challenge yourself to listen longer than you normally would. Let them share their perspective fully. It doesn’t mean you agree with them—it means you’re practicing understanding. Instead of responding to change their mind, ask a follow-up question to learn more about where they’re coming from.