Certainty Is Not A Sure Thing

How certain are you? Perhaps too much for your own good.

Grasshopper Notes are the writings from America's Best Known Hypnotherapist John Morgan. His podcasts contain his most responded to essays and blog posts from the past two decades. 

Find the written versions of these podcasts on John's podcasting site: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628038

"The Grasshopper" is the part of you that whispers pearls of wisdom that  seem to pop into your mind from out of the blue. John's essays and blog posts are his interpretations of these "Nips of Nectar." Others have labeled his writings as timeless wisdom. 

Most of the John's writings revolve around self improvement and self help. They address topics like:

• Mindfulness
• Peace of mind
• Creativity
• How to stay in the present moment
• Spirituality
• Behavior improvement

And stories that transform you to a wider sense of awareness that presents more options. And isn't that what we all want, more options? 

John uploads these podcasts on a regular basis. So check back often to hear these podcasts heard around the world. Who wants to be the next person to change? 

Make sure to order a copy of John's new book: WISDOM OF THE GRASSHOPPER – 21 Days to Creativity. These mini-meditations take you inside where all your creative resources live. And you'll come out not only refreshed but recommitted to creating your future. 

It's only $16.95 and available at BLURB.COM at the link below. https://www.blurb.com/b/10239673-wisd...

Also, download John's FREE book INTER RUPTION: The Magic Key To Lasting Change. It's available at John's website  https://GrasshopperNotes.com

Transcript

Certainty Is Not A Sure Thing

Let’s be honest—we can all slip into a “set it and forget it” mindset. That’s totally fine when it comes to everyday stuff—like, you don’t need to relearn how to turn a doorknob every time you use one. But when it comes to things we think we know for sure? That kind of certainty can trip us up.

You’ve probably heard of an “elevator speech”—you know, a short, punchy way to get your point across. But here’s what you may not realize: your personal “soapbox” speech, the one you stand on with pride, is likely full of uncertainty that you haven’t noticed. That means what you fervently believe—what you espouse—is too often covered with “pies” made by cows. 

What you're sure about, too often, has you discount information that points in an opposite direction. So when someone challenges your certain point of view, you meet them with confrontation instead of curiosity.

But here’s the poetic twist—your enemies will teach you more about your false sense of certainty than your friends ever will. Because birds of a feather? They'll circle the wagons in the dead of night, telling each other they’re “right,” which just makes you dig in your heels and fight. Opposing viewpoints, though—they let in some light . . . if you’re willing to let them in.

That doesn’t mean you have to adopt them; just consider them without your current viewpoint being clad in armor.

Surety is a defensive position. Think of the energy wasted by constantly being on the defensive. There is nothing productive that comes from defending that which can’t be know for certain, only smugness that prevents us from finding a cure for sure.

You won’t find this on a bumper sticker, but being less sure presents you with more options, which increase your flexibility. “Bend but don’t break” gives you more options than “let them eat cake.”

Begin putting a question mark next to the things you think you know for sure, and you’ll open yourself up to useful options—previously buried by cow manure.

All the best,

John