Sometimes we believe things only later to discover we have been wrong. What is our reaction?
- We quickly discount the new information as “fake news”
- We quickly begin to search for ways the new information cannot be right
- We consider the new information and change our views
The Myers-Briggs Personality Types Indicator in the third field poses a dichotomy of J and T. The J personality type would most likely choose the second alternative. The T would go with the third. (Hint: I’m an ENTP). The reason I prefer the Enneagram to the M-B is that the latter seems to imply a static personality. Proper use of the Enneagram is to explore what caused you to be a certain type with those particular nuances encouraging continually adapting behavior to grow more whole.
I propose we all need to work on using the third response. That is the heart of Adam Grant’s latest book, Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know.
The latest newsletter from Arnold’s Pump Club (a health and fitness newsletter I highly recommend for tending to the physical health part of our life) emphasizes that trend. Adam Bornstein, You Can’t Screw This Up: Why Eating Takeout, Enjoying Dessert, and Taking the Stress out of Dieting Leads to Weight Loss That Lasts, lists 31 myths that he has believed and taught in his past that he discovered later were wrong.
Samples:
- All sugar needs to be removed (the poison is in the dose)
- Motivation matters, and if you lack it, you’re weak-minded. (I’m embarrassed to say I once believed this; I’m so sorry.)
- If you can’t stick to a behavior, it’s because you don’t care or don’t work hard enough. (Behavioral change is complicated and starts with shifting self-perception.)
- Artificial sweeteners are harmful to all people (They don’t sit well for some and are completely tolerated by others)
- Good foods vs. bad foods is a smart way to teach people how to eat better (it’s not).
- Social health doesn’t influence physical health.
- Emotional and mental health doesn’t influence physical health.
Let us pause and reflect. What things do we believe that we’ve found get in the way of a healthy spiritual, physical, social, and emotional life? What things do we need to leave behind? Where can we grow into a life full of gratitude and generosity?
I agree with the Apostle Paul when he said that our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and we should take care of it. Of course, illness and infirmity strike. But somehow we can make the best of what we have. The myriad of physical improvements we can make certainly help us with our spiritual disciplines.
Faith Venture 
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