Living Intentionally - Be Confused (Part Quatre)

Living Intentionally - Be Confused (Part Quatre)

True wisdom is to . . . change with good grace in changing circumstances. —Robert Louis Stevenson

I GUESS I’M REALLY weird when it comes to politics. Rather than viewing flip-flopping as a negative, I find it refreshing to hear that politicians and voters consider new views and then are open-minded enough to admit they’ve taken a new position. At least I know they’re thinking.

When I was in my midforties, I became confused about my position on all things political. I would make a fabulous senator, since I changed sides on everything from the war in Iraq to our city’s position on the homeless. But my confusion brought clarity.

By reading, listening to commentary (both conservative and liberal), discerning facts from the press (as best one can), and being open to the fact that “I might not be right,” I have arrived (for now) in a place where I feel comfortable holding to my own positions, not the popular opinion.

My point is this: in order to live intentionally, we must have the courage to be confused and be willing to carry a compass in the form of research and learning. We must desire to dig for the “why” behind our opinions. We must have the maturity to look beyond our closed minds and the independence to think for ourselves. And the stamina to do it all again. Because if we are truly wise, we must be willing to change our minds as the circumstances change.

In a time when our country is split red and blue, I wish we could, at least on the most important issues, become a bit more purple.

How wonderful to be wise,to analyze and interpret things.Wisdom lights up a person’s face,softening its harshness. (Ecclesiastes 8:1)

Are you confused with politics? I sure hope so. Your willingness to shine a new light on the issues of the day might help us all find a middle ground of bipartisanship. Imagine a system where we address issues and get something done. Ahhhhh. Living intentionally—as one country under God.