I’ve been thinking a lot about things I was wrong about.
One is religion.
I grew up Catholic and later joined a non-denominational Christian church. During that time, I came under the influence and persuasion of the idea that if you weren’t part of that church, you weren’t saved.
That belief hurt me a great deal. More importantly, it hurt other people.
I hurt good, faithful, spiritual people. Some were Christians. Some weren’t. Some were believers. Some weren’t.
I was judgmental. I said things I regret saying.
Whether I believed those things wholeheartedly at the time or not is debatable. But I said them in a spirit of enthusiasm and zealousness and being a zealot.
What I’ve come to learn is that there are many different ways people approach God. It’s a very personal relationship.
And I was wrong about something I was absolutely convinced I was right about.
Another is politics.
I’ve been at various places on the political spectrum throughout my life. Most of the time, I’ve landed somewhere in the middle. Some sort of centrist. Some sort of libertarian. Liberal on some things. Conservative on others.
But there have been times when I’ve taken more extreme positions.
Today, I’ve come to a place where I realize there’s a lot I simply don’t know.
Life changes. Circumstances change. Perspectives change.
And so if you’re not adjusting and going with the flow, I just think that’s a mistake.
Being too dogmatic has never served me well.
And finally, I’ve been wrong about myself.
I’ve spent a lot of my life being critical and judgmental with myself. There was a lot of blame. A lot of shame.
Now, I still believe we should examine ourselves and ask whether we’re becoming the best version of who we can be.
But being abusive and cruel to ourselves is never the answer.
I’ve done that.
And when I look back now, I realize I was wrong about many of the things I told myself and many of the ways I viewed myself.
What about you?