Who Are You Following?
Most of us are following someone or some type of group in our lives. As humans, we have strength in numbers and so it is natural for us to belong to a group, or to a variety of groups.
There are all kinds of groups – your country of origin or ethnicity, age group, hobbies, religion, politics, ethical beliefs, athleticism, occupation, income, and so on.
Take a moment to consider who you are following in this life. Some of the groups you fall in may not be so important to you, but others may have a major influence over your life.
Ask:
What are the groups and leaders that act as a guiding force on your life?
Following is not bad, just as leading is not bad, but we should question: whether you are following or leading, what exactly is the destination of your group?
Are you truly motivated to work toward some kind of betterment, or are you just motivated to live life as a sport where winning is the only true goal?
Are you motivated to think for yourself, or just to have someone conveniently lay out a plan of action that you can follow without much thought?
Does it matter that what you do is right and good, or are you fine with anything as long as your group is winning and gaining advantages?
Some of us have lost sight of what is important.
We have decided that winning is all that matters. Or we have decided that having our group like and approve of us is what truly matters. We have come to think that if something makes us feel good, then it is good. And this is not necessarily the case.
We must think deeper.
At the end of the day, are we truly doing what is right?
A good follower should still be able to lead his own mind, and does not need a leader to tell him what to think. We should not follow blindly, but use the mind and heart we have to come to our own conclusions.
Ask if your mind is on autopilot, where you hear something from your group, and you automatically assume it to be true and valid, without properly considering alternatives. When this happens, people will echo the same thoughts over and over, making them appear to be true and valid even if they are not. From there, if the group is influential enough, major world actions can be implemented, such as encouraging people to be harassed or bullied, changing the laws, and in the most extreme cases even war or a great divide, without a good and justifiable reason.
Some people or groups want us to believe something, and so they will spread the information (or misinformation) that benefits their cause, even if it is misguided or untrue.
Today, consider this:
Are you going to lead yourself, or be led any way that your groups want to take you?
Are you going to consider the “facts” for yourself, or allow someone else to compile them, analyze them, and then sell you the story that they want you to believe?
You have the right to follow any leader or group you like, but take some time to think for yourself – no one else should do your thinking for you.
Tomorrow’s post will cover some tips and tools for better thinking.
