There’s no AH-HA moments

Ike Turner was a wife beater, drug addict, and an all-around turd, but he was one of the most influential rock and roll performers of all time.  There’s a little-known song by Ike that says, “I can do bad all by myself.”  Those words ring so true with me.  For the most part, I get up every morning with the same beliefs, and opinions I went to bed with.  If I want to find like-minded points of view, I know just where to go.  Echo chambers run by some of the most convincing, self-serving, self-appointed “patriots” are a dime a dozen.  These talking heads can be seen on radio and TV, and the wannabes, well, they’re all over my computer screen, all ready to tell me what I should think.  Friends, there are no AH-HA MOMENTS.  There are no moments of sudden realization, inspiration, insight, recognition, or comprehension to be found on FaceBook, Instagram, Twitter, or anywhere else.  AH-HA Moments are much harder to find.  They’re found at the end of a walk on a sunny day, a birth announcement, an obituary, or maybe just in a quiet moment.  AH-HA moments are personal.  They come when you get that feeling in your gut when you are finally able to admit to yourself you’ve been wrong or misguided about someone or some issue.  Beliefs and opinions need to remain just that, and not be allowed to become dogma.  I think we all have to take a hard look at them, no matter the subject.  There comes a time when we have to ask ourselves, Is this the hill I choose to die on?  No one knows better than me how powerful the ego is.  The ego keeps us from publicly admitting mistakes.  Falling on the sword with a public admission is a tough pill to swallow, and is a bridge too far for most.  Having said that, the important thing is how we move forward.  Just remember, changing your mind, and making a quiet correction can be as personal as you want it to be.  The important thing is making that correction. It really makes you feel free and truly independent.