"脱皮できない蛇は死ななければならない。意見を変えることができない心も同様に、その存在をやめてしまう。"

Imagine you’re strolling through a forest and you spot a snake. This snake’s survival hinges on its ability to shed its old skin. If it can’t, it’s in trouble. Similarly, our minds need to shed old ideas and opinions to thrive. If we’re stuck, we stop truly thinking.

Think back to when this idea was first shared. It was penned by Friedrich Nietzsche, a philosopher known for challenging conventional thinking. He believed that just as a snake needs to shed its skin to grow, humans need to let go of outdated beliefs to foster intellectual growth. Nietzsche’s time was one of rapid change—industrial revolutions and evolving social norms. His words were a call to adapt and rethink.

Let’s dive into a real-life example. Imagine you’re at work. You’ve got a manager who’s been doing things the same way for 20 years. They’re resistant to new technologies, clinging to old methods. Productivity starts to lag. The company’s competitors are zooming ahead, embracing new tools and ideas. If this manager doesn’t adapt, the whole team suffers. That’s a snake that refuses to shed its skin. The company needs innovative thinking, not outdated practices.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your life? Start with openness. Listen to others’ perspectives, even if they clash with your own. Challenge your own beliefs. Let’s say you’ve always thought you’re terrible at drawing. You believed it so long, it’s a part of you. But one day, you pick up a pencil and start sketching. You realize you’re not half-bad. That’s growth. That’s shedding an old opinion about yourself.

Imagine this: You’re at a family dinner. Everyone’s debating politics. It’s heated. Your uncle’s voice is loudest—he refuses to budge. He believes what he believes, and that’s the end of it. But your cousin, she’s been reading, talking to people, learning. She shares a new perspective, something fresh. Your uncle scoffs, but you listen. And you think. Maybe you don’t change your mind right there, but you start to see things differently.

That’s the key. Be like your cousin. Don’t be afraid to change your mind. It’s not about being wishy-washy; it’s about growth. Sticking to old opinions because they’re comfortable is like wearing a too-tight jacket because it’s what you’ve always worn. It’s restrictive.

In the end, it’s about being alive in your thinking. Imagine your mind as a garden. If you never pull out the old weeds, there’s no room for new flowers. Be willing to challenge yourself. Read books that make you uncomfortable. Talk to people with different backgrounds. Keep learning. Keep growing.

So, next time you find yourself clinging to an old belief, ask yourself: Is this helping me, or is it holding me back? Be brave. Shed that old skin and see what happens next. Your mind will thank you.