Great Minds.....

Back in the 1990s, I believe, there was a short segment between cartoons and commercials, usually on Saturday mornings. You may remember them. They were narrated or hosted by Genie, aka Robin Williams. He would say something to the effect of, "Great minds think alike…. No, great minds think for themselves." He would then share stories of historical moments, highlighting incredible people doing incredible things. I loved these segments, and I have forever etched in my mind this phrase, so that anytime someone says, "great minds think alike," at least internally, I echo, "nooooo….they think for themselves." Flashback even further to when I was in high school and one of my favorite teachers would try to push a similar concept, simply put in two words: independent thought. (Shout out to Miss J, now Dr. J, if you happen to read this.) I think she was revolutionary in the education system. Encouraging young minds to have their own independent thought in a system often encouraging young minds to memorize other people's thoughts and regurgitate these thoughts on tests and assignments. Maybe these moments in my life helped shape me and my thinking. I like to think they did. Then I think of the many, many times I just "followed the herd" and didn't have my own independent thinking. Maybe it is due to a lack of confidence in my thinking. Maybe it's just easier. And in all honesty, I do enjoy hearing what others think. But I am personally trying to revisit these shaping moments of my life. Going back to what was trying to be encouraged in high school and again by whoever wrote the short segments for Saturday morning television. I am going to start questioning more. If I have believed it for a long time, that is the very time when I want to really "poke holes." This may be the path to opening our minds. Opening our minds, coupled with grounded reasoning and analysis, can benefit us all. We will have a solid foundation under our thoughts and beliefs rather than blindly "following the herd." So much is possible all around us. If I could go back to that teenager in high school, being encouraged to have "independent thought," and whisper to her about the ways the world will exponentially change thanks, in great part, to technology doing what seemed impossible, her mind would be blown. Bring it back to the here and now. Imagine the possibilities if we each started with our own thinking….and instead of digging in our heels….really questioned things. Great minds think alike. Noooooo, great minds think for themselves.