Random Musing: U is for…

Today’s abecedarium entry ushers us into the universe of U.

Truthfully, I’ve been a bit under the weather today, so I’ve been doing most of my musing in a prone position.  I did stop to wonder where that particular expression for not feeling well came from, and apparently it is a nautical term.  “Under the weather bow” is a reference to the windward side of a ship’s bow, which would be the side taking the worst of the high seas.  I get seasick just thinking of it.  On the other hand I know how the gloom of endless gray skies and lack of sun can affect one’s mood, so that seems like a possible reference as well.

Whatever the case may be about that, what I’ve really been musing about today is upgrading.  I have a friend who chose a derivation of that for her guiding word of the year, so it’s kind of been on my radar for months now.  We periodically discuss what that looks like and what it means, because of course when working with a “word” for a year, there is the opportunity for it to get expressed in all sorts of ways.

But I’ve really been leaning into something Malcom Gladwell said:

“I feel I change my mind all the time.  And I sort of feel that’s your responsibility as a person, as a human being – to constantly be updating your positions on as many things as possible.  And if you don’t contradict yourself on a regular basis, then you’re not thinking.”

I think that’s brilliant position, and yet it’s contrary to how most people tend to operate. I think the collective push is to find some truth, some position, some unifying viewpoint and stick with it.  I think we’re generally more interested in arriving someplace than being en route.

But I think Gladwell’s admonishment is one that should be regularly invoked.  How helpful would it be for all of us if we more than just occasionally evaluated our positions on things?  My Guides often talk about this in terms of “becoming current” with what new energies are available, and I find that a useful way to look at it.  Everything is always in motion. Every moment offers new choice points, new opportunities, new ways of unfolding.  Hopefully our minds are expanding rather than calcifying and contracting.  And hopefully we’ll always have the grace to say I used to think that, but now I’m seeing it differently.

What about you?  What do you think about Gladwell’s position?  What have you changed your mind about lately?  What have you been updating?  Do tell – you know I love to hear.