Are you Certain?

I am a grateful student of Bob Duggan at Tai Sophia Institute. During the TLSC Master's program, Bob teaches a class on New Science, New Thinking. For a taste of Bob and his teaching see his TEDx speech here.

During class Bob speaks of certitudes. For clarity, a certitude is defined as freedom from doubt. This seems like a good thing. Many people believe if you are free from doubt, life is good. You know your boundaries, what to believe in and what to expect.

There are countless examples of certitudes. In fact, I'm almost certain all things are certitudes (irony anyone?). The best way to find a certitude is to listen for something like "It has always been that way" or "Things will never change."

With over 66% of people in the US overweight or obese, I wonder how many think things won't ever change. How many are certain they can't lose the weight and change their health and, therefore, don't take any action to do so? How many are certain eating a salad drowning in thousand island dressing is a healthy choice? How many think a package labeled "low fat" means it is healthy and they can eat more? How many are sure they don't know how to exercise and are too embarrassed to do so? How many fear their own kitchen and don't know how, or what, to cook for a healthful meal at home? How many people believe a soup made of kale, chard and sweet potatoes would be awful (for the record, it is rather tasty!)?

The point being, until we help ourselves and those around us to identify and set certitudes aside, we have little hope for real change. I, for one, happen to believe anything is possible. The only doubt I'm free from? To quote Margaret Mead, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

PS - Want to join, or watch, a group about to change the world? Visit my friend Andrew and his blog.