Postcards from the Funny Farm

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Before I start this post I just want to give a link to a couple people who have asked me what makes up blog value these days in my opinion. I’ve actually written a series on it you can find here. Okay, now for the post …

I remember a few years ago hearing the son of the criminally insane Jim Jones discussing the mass suicides at Jonestown. The son had been away when it took place and after he returned, he learned the title of this post was the truth for him. Every family member and friend was killed and he had to call in to report the tragedy. His life changed after that with what would be a continuous string of experiences where he learned just how wrong he had been for so long. He chose to have an open mind, lucky for him.

Today teaching eighteen 8th graders I had an experience that opened my mind way up. Let me share it with you. I was explaining to the open-minded young adults about the word “pattern” with regards to sentences. I used an example from my youth (I like doing that and it often helps the lesson go better). I told them about my grandpa’s (now passed) cabinets that held his trash cans. They looked sort of like this table:

As a child I read it up and down probably because I was short then: “Keep stash, America your, beautiful trash.” That’s what my brother and I always though it was. Well, you can imagine my shock and sort of glee to find out I had been reading it wrong for decades! The student pointed out that if you read left to right is says: “Keep America beautiful, stash your trash.” Wow. I was humbled.

Another tip in keeping an open mind is that you probably think many things are true that are not. Strive to see things the way others see them and you will have a more open mind as a result. And last, remember this question from the title:

What if all You “Knew” was Wrong?

Embrace that thought and be less ordinary.