We certainly live in globally difficult times. I personally feel we are meant to be challenged right now. It’s highlighting what’s not quite right with the world. Opening us up to more balanced, caring ways of living our lives.
There is so much to consider about life and increased awareness to be gained from critical thinking. The more widely we explore, the more open our perspective can become. Particularly if we are willing to step beyond our own current beliefs and opinions and listen to others.
“Listening to others, especially those with whom we disagree, tests our own ideas and beliefs. It forces us to recognize, with humility, that we don’t have a monopoly on the truth“.
Janet Yellen
It requires exploring a wider, holistic approach. In regard to addressing the current health pandemic, considering the physical health aspect of the equation balanced with the social/emotional well-being of the individual and population. There have been some heartfelt situations arise particularly with the elderly, bereaved, chronically unwell, unsafely housed and lonely.
What a massive challenge weighing up the risks and benefits of current and possible future strategies and policy. ‘One size fits all’ can hopefully be slowed down and assessed for its relevance. In Australia, we have become a highly vaccinated and relatively compliant population to health directives in response to the Covid 19 Pandemic. Time will tell if these governance measures create the society we each want to live in. We also need to be mindful of inclusion of all of our population in our future way of life.
As an early childhood teacher I am particularly drawn to thinking about the long term impacts on childhood development of children born during the pandemic. A critical stage in their development where babies have been unable to see others smile and engage with them. A time when their play and exploration has been partly inhibited with an increased emphasis on their physical health and safety. Largely inhabiting a reduced world of their family home and its occupants. Some will be more vulnerable to developmental setbacks than others.
Older children are beginning to get back to their education. Adults to their work lives and re-connection with the wider world. Each of us re-engaging with a level of uncertainty for what lies ahead. Feeling a more tangible sense of our lack of personal agency and control. Yet we have active, thinking minds. Minds that can adapt to changing circumstances.
I am drawn to the additional fifth agreement in Don Miguel Ruiz (The Four Agreements).
He suggests that we be sceptical, advising us not to believe either ourselves or anybody else. That we be open and challenged by new, and dare I say, opposing information. We can also use the power of doubt to question everything we hear. Is it really the truth? Who is speaking and what is their intention behind the words. What is the real message being conveyed in what is being said?
I believe this is a good stance for investigating the world. One we should teach our children. To start with a critical view of the vast amount of information they come across. In addition, to be willing to widen their perspective along the way. We need critical thinkers to navigate our current world. Aware of our human biases, such as how we actively seek out information that confirms our current knowledge, while discarding what we don’t want to hear. We can also fall into the trap of overestimating our expertise on a subject. Perhaps it is time to be humble enough to recognise those things we don’t know, as much as being sure of what we do.
Where does that leave us. We can see the current world through a lens of fear or of love. Increasingly I hope we see it through love. A world where we protect the vulnerable and look out for the needs of others. Where we encourage open, respectful conversations and care more deeply for each other and the world. That’s a world I believe we all want to inhabit.
