A Simple Thing ✨ no. 14

A challenge for this week.

Happy MLK Day! May we all find meaningful ways to honor Dr. King’s legacy—not just today, but always.

I’m currently reading The Small and the Mighty by

Sharon McMahon

after hearing so many incredible reviews, and it’s been a compelling reminder of the courage of everyday people who helped create a better world for all—much like the legacy we celebrate MLK for.

And wow, has the news been newsing this week— eh?

As I thought about what to share for this week’s A Simple Thing, I kept coming back to leaders like Dr. King and those featured in The Small and the Mighty—individuals who faced incredible obstacles in their pursuit of a more just and loving world. It got me thinking: What if our world could benefit from a little more of this…?

A simple thing to do this week…

🧠 Change your mind about something.

In today’s world, it’s easier than ever to build an echo chamber of ideas—curating our thoughts and media in a way that reinforces what we already believe (🙋‍♀️ guilty). But the truth is, no one knows everything with absolute certainty. And the more convinced we are that we do, the less open we become to perspectives that challenge our thinking—a slippery slope.

So what if, this week, we intentionally set out to change our minds about something? What if we embraced the idea that we don’t have it all figured out—and that maybe the modern world’s ability to feed us exactly what we want to hear isn’t always a good thing?

And I know what you might be thinking—because I’ve thought it too: “I know exactly who needs to hear this!” But what if this applies to all of us? What if we lead by example?

What if, instead of focusing on proving our own truths, we focused on understanding the truths of others? What if we saw changing our minds not as a weakness, but as a strength? And what if we created a world where changing our minds was something to be celebrated rather than criticized?

But before we go further…

There are universal truths. There are things that are not up for debate—like respect for human rights, the fact that hate is unacceptable, and the reality that our environment needs to be preserved.

But within the space of our personal beliefs, habits, and assumptions, there is room for growth.

Here’s the challenge this week:

1. Make a list of 10 things you are absolutely certain of.
   No self-judgment—just write them down. What do you believe without a shadow of a doubt?

2. Examine your list with curiosity.

• How do these beliefs make you feel?

• Where did they come from?

• How are they tied to your identity?

3. Choose one or two to explore with an open mind.

• Seek out alternative perspectives.

• Look for stories, data, or experiences that challenge this belief.

• Pay attention to how you feel when engaging with opposing viewpoints.

This exercise isn’t about forcing yourself to change your mind—but about being open to the possibility. History has been shaped by those willing to rethink, reconsider, and challenge the status quo—just like Dr. King and so many others.

Looking to go deeper?

• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie — The Danger of a Single Story (TED Talk) – A powerful reminder of why we must seek multiple perspectives.

• Brené Brown — The Power of Vulnerability (TED Talk) – Because vulnerability is at the heart of being open to change.

• Adam Grant — Think Again – A must-read on the power of knowing what you don’t know.

• Austin Channing Brown — about unlearning, rethinking, and how we all get things wrong via Unlocking Us Podcast with Brené Brown.

• Greg Lukianoff & Jonathan Haidt (author of The Anxious Generation) — The Coddling of the American Mind – A book about how we engage with challenging ideas.

So—when was the last time you changed your mind about something? Let’s talk.

A Simple Thing ✨ no. 11

A Simple Thing ✨ no. 12

A Simple Thing ✨ no. 13