That’s an important topic, isn’t it? How to change minds. I’m certain that — at this very moment — advertisers, politicians, and many others are trying their best to figure out how to change minds.
Yesterday, in a therapy group, we changed our minds several times about which activity to choose, based on the issues people brought into the group room and the resulting 45-minute group discussion.
I had some trouble deciding whether to choose the mind-changing group activity of:
- Creating a t-shirt with an important, personal slogan or
- Answering the question that somebody in the group had raised: “What does it take to change people’s minds?”
Because I change my mind many times before making decisions, I decided to combine both of those mind-changing activities, as you can see:
Before you change your mind about me, I want to explain that ‘Killing It” is an idiom — in these changing times — for having a passionate commitment (about changing things or about anything else). My changing mind is also noticing, here and now, that I included “songs” twice as I was designing my personal mind-changing t-shirt. Do you agree with me that songs and music are particularly important for changing people’s minds?
Here‘s a song about changing minds:
Do coincidences change people’s minds? I’m noticing that the last word on my t-shirt and the first word in that “The Times They Are a-Changin’” video have no changes at all. That is, my t-shirt ends and that Bob Dylan video starts with the same mind-changing word — “Quest.”
In my quest to change minds in a helpful way at work and elsewhere, I sometimes use words and I sometimes use images. Here are some mind-changing images from yesterday, when I considered (among other things):
- changing the number of rooms where I offer group therapy and
- how teachers at my son’s high school change minds, every day.
Did any of those photos (or anything else in this post) change your mind about anything that’s important to you?
If you express your mind in a comment below, you may change minds, too.
Mind-changing thanks to Bob Dylan, to my son’s teachers, to every person, place and thing I encountered yesterday that changed my mind, and to you — of course! — for your beautifully changing mind, today.
The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally 
The power of music…Dylan was one who made a difference. So many followed. As for Billy’s bacon, that is indeed happiness. 💕 A Good Morning to you, Ann. ☺
I’m not going to change my mind about this, Van: I’m always so happy to see you here!
Hi Ann. Yes, one of these photos did change my mind. The strange dining set up in the parking lot I see is now for a food truck party, not some weird outdoors art display. But I am still left with questions about the games at each end. What are they for I wonder?
I used to be able to change my children’s minds about things by telling them little stories. Now I must present possible consequences to them, and give them pieces of information which I think will help them change their minds. I thinking coming up with little stories is much more fun.
Example: I once told them that a frayed piece of rope on the ground near a home construction site was a clump of witch’s hair, and that if they picked it up the witch would come find them and want to take it back. They changed their minds about picking it up. Now I would have to tell them it was filled with microbes, dirt and possible Valley Fever spores and it probably was not a good idea to pick it up.
I like the witch’s hair story better – how about you?
I hope you have a fabulous day!!!!!!
I love all your stories, SD. And, like you, I am stumped and captivated by the magical qualities of that dining set up. I’ll have another photo of that, tomorrow.
I can’t wait!!! I think I might duplicate that exact set up on my patio, so I can look at it everyday and then I can invite the food trucks! That sure would make dinner a breeze. Yumm!!!!
Thank you, SD for setting up another yummy comment.
Nostalgic for ole Dylan. Love the answer to how focused are you? That sums it up!
That sums it up for me, too. With the focus of a banana, I am truly glad that you commented today, Ruth.
Too long out of school – I can’t read the mathematical symbols!
I’m glad you could read this post, Emilie! ❤
How to change minds has always been a double-edged sword to me. If you watched the movie “American Beauty”, you’d certainly understand what I mean, that is, if you had the guts to watch it all the way until the end because of how poignant and devastating it is (I didn’t like it by the way). The middle age crisis the main character undergoes (Kevin Spacey), along with his andropause, is for me an interesting (but somehow drastic) example of changing minds. What’s most interesting in your post, however, is the “killing it” phrase. One can attempt to kill something (an ideal or belief for example) and do it in a symbolic manner. To actually “kill it”, however, entails so much risk, that many who actually do it, end up alone, unfortunately. Look at the artists for example, who give up so many things in order to live their dream, writers, and finally, people who decide to disagree in their jobs, because they see things in a different way, and risk getting fired. I’m glad you brought it up in this ‘symbolic’ way.
On the other hand, looking at it from an existentialist point of view, people who do change minds, don’t have to end up alone nor misunderstood, and education plays an important role in this. It is one’s responsibilty to be ready to change minds. If one decides to give up one thing for another (jobs, friends, political views), then educate yourself about all you will need to survive this change and not harm anyone with your transition.
What a wonderful comment, Maria. I am sure you’ve changed people’s minds for the better with all your interesting points here. Also, I wanted to tell you that “American Beauty” is a film that Michael and I cannot change each other’s minds about. He strongly dislikes it and I loved it when I saw it. We agree to disagree about that. ❤
How great to agree to disagree Ann, at least it’s an agreement.
I like the way your mind works, Maria!
It feels like every one of your posts–particularly the pictures–changes my mind in some way. My mind isn’t changed in the sense that a long-held opinion or idea is reversed or even altered. Instead I stop to think about what you’ve shared and come away feeling slightly different. When our minds are enriched that’s a change, the way a thawing glacier becomes a river that’s enriched by what it picks up as it follows its path.
I’d never thought of the phrase “change a mind” in this way before, so you’ve changed my mind.
I am changed for the better by your writing and images also, Chris.
√(-1) ❤ this post. It's even transformational.
Mel !!!!!!’ You’re back changing minds here at my blog. I am transformationally thrilled about that.
Ha! How could I resist, Ann. Bob Dylan (I grew up on because of older brother), interesting cultural symbols to decipher, and great insights from you on something we all hate to do–change. 🙂
It’s always wonderful to see you here, Mel, for a change.
Ann,
Outside of ordering off a diner menu, the only other time that one may change their mind is when they are faced with an objective truth.
And therein lies a dilemma. For all seek the truth, but turn from it if it requires them to change.
-Alan
Thanks for unchangingly bringing your truth here, Alan.
Sometimes, the best way to change someone’s mind is to ask questions and have them come to a mind-changing conclusion on their own! Love this post. Love you Ann – not gonna change my mind about that! ❤
Diana xo
I am not going to change my mind and heart about you either, Diana! ❤ xxoo
I find ironic that ‘Times a’Changin’ ‘ made Dylan a millionaire.
That is mind-changingly mind-blowing, now that you mention it. My mind is very happy that you’re here.
I think the idea of change is, in itself, quite frightening for some people (especially if they are young!) I absolutely LOVE change now and especially changing my mind.
And I LOVe you, Julie.
I suppose minds are like light bulbs 🙂
I like the way your mind works, Derrick.
The square root of negative one is one, from which we learn that you can never be two negative.
Your mind was on my mind when I was taking those math photos, Maureen.
🙂
But in the big picture here, Ann, never change.
I wish I could change (1) the fact that it took me so long to see your comment, Mark, and (2) your busy schedule, so you could visit more often!
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