I shared eight things I wish people would have told me when I was in high school in a recent presentation. In this fourth tip, I think I need to say that I did hear this, and I wish I would have listened sooner to this wisdom. I will be sharing number four today.

• Read widely and research both sides of a subject

I used to be a repeater. I repeated everything I was taught, I never questioned anything, and I trusted everyone. After I got saved and started homeschooling (and reading for the first time in my life) everything changed. I woke up to the fact that we don’t live in a perfect world, and I realized that I’m responsible for myself, and I need to make well informed choices about my health, education, family, finances, etc., The more I read, the more I realize that there are often two opposing sides to a subject. Not that I believe it needs to be “either” “or” on every subject, because I think there’s always something useful to learn from both sides. Our life has really changed for the better as I started getting out of the mind set that I know everything (now I realize I know very little), and that I should always be searching for truth, and willing to change as I am reading widely and researching both sides of a subject.

I used to hear something stated over and over and my flesh believed it, without thinking much about it, or digging deep into what was being said. One of the many examples I can think of is how health studies are reported. Sometimes a study will be reported with only partially true information, or stated in a way that is not even factual. In the past I had not been taught to fact check or dig deep into the research so, I believed everything. While there are good studies out there, I’m afraid that many people profit from ignorance. Thankfully anyone can read most of this research, and there are people taking the time to read these studies and report the things that are conveniently being left out.

If you haven’t noticed, I’m very passionate about studying natural health, because I have witnessed healing in myself and others. While I haven’t experienced perfect health, I have learned enough to know that there are things we can do to improve our energy and well-being. I have really struggled with a lot of the information I have studied. There are some spiritual things that I don’t agree with intertwined with excellent wisdom. Rather than dismissing everything that’s being said, because I don’t agree with some of it, I have learned to sift through the data and take away the good. Through this process I have also observed that what works for one person doesn’t always work for another person. I think that might be why people give up or think natural solutions don’t work. On the other side, I can also use the knowledge I have gained from my nursing education. This is just one small example of keeping an open mind and researching both sides of a subject.

While I often find myself on a path less travelled, I no longer worry about it. I realize that I don’t have to do things like everyone else. I’m okay with being different. I started hearing a different side to some of the knowledge I had been taught, and it was enlightening and freeing. I was like a sheep being led to the slaughter, but now I’m trying to be more discerning. While there are still struggles, I am so thankful for the desire I have been given to seek truth, a willingness to embrace change, access to abundant information, improved health and finances, a desire to make careful observations, and a supportive family. I share this because I care about people, and I want to see more people reading widely and researching both sides of a subject. Do you read widely and research both sides of a subject? We would love to hear from you!